Santa Clara Black Polished Pottery Pitcher by Sara Fina Tafoya [SOLD]

This black pitcher from Santa Clara Pueblo was made by Sara Fina Tafoya.  Adobe Gallery acquired this pitcher in 1999, at which time we shared it with Mary Cain of Santa Clara Pueblo, who identified it as the work of her grandmother, Sara Fina Tafoya.  One could easily determine it was made by Sara Fina as it is very much in her style, but it was reassuring to have Mary Cain authenticate it.  Mary Cain (1916-2010) whose Tewa name was Blue Rain, was a granddaughter of Sara Fina Tafoya and daughter of Christina Naranjo, and she was the grandmother of famous Santa Clara artist Tammy Garcia. 

The pitcher, at over a foot tall, is graceful and elegant.  It has a glorious neck over a globular body with melon ribs impressed into the clay.  For stability, the potter placed a pedestal rim on the underside.  The long, curved handle ends with peaks at the top and a hook protrusion at its bottom.  The handle is substantial at over 1-½ inches wide.

Condition: there was some repair to the spout after we acquired the pitcher in 1999.  

Provenance: this Santa Clara Black Polished Pottery Pitcher by Sara Fina Tafoya is from the Texas family to whom we sold it in 1999.

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Christina Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo, Mary Cain, Pueblo Pottery, Margaret Tafoya, Camilio Tafoya, utilitarian vessels Tammy Garcia, Linda Cain, Sara Fina Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo Potter