Santa Clara Pueblo Buff-on-red Jar [SOLD]

Belen Tapia was Sara Fina Tafoya's niece and Margaret Tafoya's first cousin. She had a long and productive life as a potter and achieved fame for her work.  Mostly, she is recognized for her use of several color pigments in designs on her pottery, but she also produced traditional carved pottery of the style familiar to collectors.

This deeply carved design is illustrative of her ability to achieve clean-cut designs in straight line or curved forms. The burnishing of the red slip is flawless. Tapia was an accomplished potter and that is evident in this jar. 

Condition:  The buff color matte clay of the design element has some grey spotting that is not dust and does not rub off, so I do not know what it might be.

Recommended Reading:  Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf