Santa Clara Pueblo 13-piece Redware Nacimiento Set [SOLD]

This marvelous nacimiento by Linda Jo’Povi Askan could not be more representative of the Native American culture of the New Mexico Pueblos.  This Santa Clara Pueblo nativity scene presents the Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus—are presented in Native clothing and jewelry. Jesus is not attached to the Mary figurine but is it’s own figurine that Mary can hold, or not.  Mary has a stone polished red blanket draped over her head and wrapped around her arms and back.  There is a matte painted design in the area over her right arm, and there is a notion that she is wearing a turquoise nugget necklace.  Joseph, too, has a blanket draped over his head and down his back.  His moccasins are visible under the blanket on the back. He has a drum resting on his legs and a drumstick in his right hand.  Baby Jesus is wrapped in a blanket with only his face visible.

The three kings are cleverly dressed as Pueblo Animal Dancers.  One is dressed as a Ram Dancer with a three-feather design on the back; a second king is dressed as a Buffalo Dancer, also with a three-feather design on the back; the third king is dressed as an Antelope Dancer, with the three-feather design on the blanket. Each king holds a small red stone-polished jar as a gift to the infant. These gifts are not attached to the figurines!

The animals include a donkey in stone-polished red slip, a sheep, also in stone-polished red slip, and two sheep in tan matte finish.

Linda Jo’Povi Askan (1954- ) is a potter of Santa Clara and Diné descent.  Linda attended the Institute of American Indian Arts after graduating from Espanola High School.  She began potting in 1984 and was taught her craft by her mother and grandmother.  She makes traditional red and black Santa Clara pottery, as well as various types of figurines.  Now as a grandmother, Linda spends much time with her grandson, whom she gives clay beside her as she works.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Santa Clara Pueblo 13-piece Redware Nacimiento Set is from the collection of a client who purchased it in Albuquerque in October 2002

Recommended Reading: Nacimientos - Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans by Guy and Doris Monthan

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Santa Clara Pueblo, nacimientos, Linda Askan Jo′Povi, Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery