Santa Clara Black Micaceous Jar with Symbols [SOLD]

A member of the acclaimed Tafoya family of Santa Clara Pueblo, Linda Tafoya-Sanchez has earned countless awards throughout her highly successful and innovative career as a potter. This blackware jar with micaceous slip is no exception to the tremendous talent consistently displayed by Tafoya-Sanchez.

Known for mixing burnished black with matte black as well as for the use of micaceous slip, Tafoya-Sanchez has incorporated all of these techniques into this particular jar. The jar sparkles around the matted micaceous finish which almost gives it a glittering effect. To the touch, the matte surface feels coarse, but in a satisfying way.

In contrast to the matted section of the pot, there is a wonderfully smooth, polished black portion which contains all of the symbols depicted by Tafoya-Sanchez. Starting from the bottom and swirling up to the top, some of the symbols featured include storm clouds, wind, and other weather elements. Additionally, there is a separate polished section which depicts a large parrot. According to legend parrots are seen as a directional guardian, associated with the south, and they can also be interpreted as a sign of fertility.

Linda Tafoya-Sanchez (1962 - ) formerly signed her pottery Linda Tafoya Oyenque, now she signs as Linda Tafoya-Sanchez. Same person, same beautiful pottery. She is a daughter of Lee and Betty Tafoya and granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya. She credits her aunt Mary Esther Archuleta for training her to be a potter. Sara Fina Tafoya seems to have set the standard for members of her family and their output of black pottery. All the family members produce magnificent pottery.

Condition: Excellent condition

Provenance: this Santa Clara Black Micaceous Jar with Symbols is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Lee and Betty Tafoya, Margaret Tafoya, Contemporary Southwest Indian Pottery, Linda Tafoya-Sanchez