Angela Baca is a daughter of noted potter Severa Tafoya and the mother of a family of excellent potters including David, Leona and Alvin Baca.  She is a sister of Lydia Tafoya and an aunt of Paul Speckled Rock, Ray Tafoya, Tina Garcia, Greg Garcia and Robert Cleto Nichols.  Over the course of her career she has made the carved melon bowl a signature form for her work.  This beautiful melon bowl is fully polished and it is carved with 24 ribs encircling the piece.  The high shine is from the stone polished surface and the bowl has been fired a dark black coloration.  Angela has won numerous awards for her pottery at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market, Gallup Ceremonials and other events.  Her work is a classic in Santa Clara pottery!

5.5"w x 3.75"h            

$450.00

Autumn Borts-Medlock - Santa Clara    

Autumn Borts is one of the great young innovative potters of Santa Clara Pueblo.  Her renown family includes sister Tammy Garcia, mother Linda Cain, grandmother Mary Cain and great-grandmother Christina Naranjo.  She creates striking deeply carved pottery.  This large bowl on the is a stunning example of the variety found in her forms and design. This open bowl has a series of butterflies and frogs encircling the piece. The frogs are polished red  and the back of each frog has a matte painted medallion with different designs  The butterflies are polished tan wings of the butterflies are polished tan and then incised with designs!  The area below the animals is fully polished red!   It is charming that two of the frogs are pictured eating the butterflies!  The interior of the bowl is slipped with a micaceous clay and has a frog painted in the center painted with native clay slips.  Note as well how the bowl is carved to emphasize the form of the butterflies!  Autumn has won numerous awards for her pottery and continues to charm and intrigue us with her distinctive and intricately designed pottery.

10.25"w x 4.5"h               

$5800.00

Dolores Curran has been one of the true innovators in Pueblo pottery.  These three pieces are created in her innovative "black poly-tonal" style.  This is a style which she has originated herself by modifying the classic "black" pottery with polishing and rubbing techniques to create various shades of black and grey.  Technically, this is an amazing and time involved process as the surface areas are either polished or slipped with mica or rubbed until they are almost a gunmetal coloration.  The designs are created by either incising or etching into the surface and this is combined with painted designs.  This water jar has a classic shape with the low shoulder and the slightly turned out neck.  The rim and base are highly polished and the base has additional painted designs.  There is a water serpent incised into the shoulder of the jar.  Around the neck are stylized feathers separated by two different butterflies.  Below the shoulder there are four kiva or corn meal bowls separated by either matte or polished prayer feathers.  The flow and intricacy of the design on this jar is exceptional. Dolores continues to surprise us with the intricacy of her designs and her superior technical skills! Dolores Curran is the sister of potter Geri Naranjo and mother of Ursula Curran.  She has won numerous awards for pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and other events and has been featured in books and magazines such as Native Peoples Magazine (above right).  This is a beautiful and intricate example of her pottery.

3.25"w x 3.75"h               

$1200.00

3"w x 2.5"h    

$750.00 - SOLD

In the 1980's Debra Trujillo worked with Harvey Chavarria to make pottery. These two pieces are wonderful examples of the unique variety of their work.  They are both dated "8-16-83", which means they were made for Santa Fe Indian Market in 1983.  The flat seedpot on the left has a flute player as the design incised into the clay.  It is interesting how it is designed in an oval on a piece that is round! The seedpot on the right has a medallion which has incised butterflies, a hummingbird and flowers. The remainder of the piece is fully polished.  It is interesting to see how far Debra's pottery as evolved over the years!  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Their collaborative work earned them awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and Harvey also did silver work and even inset the clay pieces in this shape into necklaces!  This seedpot is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is a beautiful example of this talented collaboration!

Left:            Flat Seedpot with Flute Player and Turquoise        2.5"w x 1"h        $350.00

Right:         Seedpot with Hummingbird and Flowers                2"w x 2"h           $400.00

     Jerome Ebelacker (b. 1977) - Santa Clara  

Jerome is a son of Richard Ebelacker, a grandson of Virginia Ebelacker and a great-grandson of Margaret Tafoya.  Jerome learned to make pottery from his father and making pieces for the past ten years.  His work is inspired by the classic shapes and designs of his family and the Pueblo.  This red jar is fully polished and has a bear paw on each side.  The jar has an elegant shape with the elongated neck and round shoulder.  It is great to see a younger potter attempting this difficult style.  Jerome has won awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and his work can be found in museums and books on Santa Clara pottery.

6"w x 8"h           

$500.00

   Richard Ebelacker (1946-2010) - Santa Clara  

Richard Ebelacker was a son of Virginia Ebelacker and a grandson of Margaret Tafoya.  He learned to make pottery from his mother and excelled at making larger vessels than many of the potters at Santa Clara.  This large cylinder shaped jar is a technically difficult form to create using the coil method for building the jar. It is very difficult to get the walls so straight and even!  The jar was then carved with a water serpent (avanyu) as the design.  Richard often carved with a distinctive flare to his designs as they flowed and undulated around the bowl creating equally beautiful designs no matter which way the piece is turned.  The jar was then stone polished and traditionally fired.  This jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Richard won numerous awards for his pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and his work can be found in museums and books on Santa Clara pottery, such as Born of Fire.

7.5"w x 14.25"h

$6500.00

   Sarena Ebelacker (b. 1985) - Santa Clara   NEW

Sarena Ebelacker is a creative and innovative young potter.  She is a daughter of noted potter James Ebelacker, a granddaughter of Virginia Ebelacker and a great-granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya.  Her pottery uses traditional techniques but with a very modern appearance.  This bowl is deep carved with a series of small panels. She said that she was inspired to create the shape form the tile floor in her grandmother's house. Each of the separate panels is fully polished and two of them have bear paws as the design.  Sarena has won awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and been featured on the cover of Native People's magazine as one of four "Emerging Potters: Generation Next" in 2010.  She is definitely a potter to watch!

7.5"w x 4.5"h

$500.00

Jody Folwell - Santa Clara  

Jody Folwell has long been one of the important innovators in Pueblo pottery.  Her revolutionary work of the 1970's changed the surface of Santa Clara pottery with her distinctive firings, use of various clay slips and utilizing non-traditional design elements.  Today, Jody continues to evolve in her art and each piece brings together different aspects of her long history of making pottery.  This jar is a striking piece of her pottery.  The form is one of her asymmetrical rim vessels which is polished from the neck to the shoulder. The remainder of the piece is matte.  There are two avanyu (water serpents) which are encircling the bowl and facing each other. They are incised into the clay in a very linear/angular style, for which Jody is well known.  Separating the two avanyu is a large area of green slip which is matte and incised with the intersecting tongues of the two avanyu.  The bowl perfectly blends the modernism of Jody's style with the historic representations of the avanyu imagery.  Jody is a daughter of Rose Naranjo and the mother of potters Polly Rose Folwell and Susan Folwell.  Her pottery can be found in museums around the country and her work has been featured in numerous books, including "The Art of Clay" and "Legacy of Generations".

6.5"w x 6"h                

$1800.00

         Jody Folwell - Santa Clara   NEW

Jody Folwell began making her innovative pottery in the 1970's.  She initially began creating pieces with unique variations in color, shape and surface. These three pieces are early pieces of her pottery from the mid 1970's.  The bowl on the left is from1978 and it is fully polished with a green colored slip.  It is simple and plain with a distinctive shape having a sharp, low shoulder.  The jar in the center is a classic style of water jar which Jody has made a signature of her pottery over the past 40 years.  The jar is from 1977 and note how there is an indention in the form just below the base, as the jar rises to the shoulder. This shape is distinctive to her as potter. This jar is polished brown for the body of the piece and then the inside of the rim is polished tan. The neck is left matte (unpolished) and the top of the shoulder has a single incised band.  The coloration and shape are stunning on this jar!  The long neck jar on the right again reveals her early use of color and shape.  The jar has a low shoulder and elongated neck.  There is a central band which is polished brown while the base and neck are rag polished tan (i.e. polished but not to such a high shine). There are incised bands separating each of the three colorations.  All three pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Jody is a daughter of Rose Naranjo and the mother of potters Polly Rose Folwell and Susan Folwell.  Her pottery can be found in museums around the country and her work has been featured in numerous books, including "The Art of Clay" and "Legacy of Generations".

Left:            Green Fully Polished Bowl            5.5"w x 5"h            $600.00

Center:       Tan Water Jar with Tan Rim         9"w x 7.25"h           $1800.00

Right:          Jar with Red Polished Band        7"w x 6.5"h             $800.00 - SOLD               

Polly Rose Folwell - Santa Clara  

Polly is a daughter of Jody Folwell and a sister of Susan Folwell. This jar is a classic shape for Polly's pottery with the asymmetrical neck.  It has been native fired brown and there is a stylized feather pattern incised into the clay encircling the entire piece.  The variations in the color are from the firing and it is beautiful with the highly polished surface!  Polly has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Pottery" at the Heard Museum Market.

4"w x 4"h            

$500.00

Susan Folwell - Santa Clara    

Susan Folwell is one of the exciting innovators in Pueblo pottery. Her work is native clay and inspired by traditional designs, but she is constantly experimenting with techniques and clays.  The bowl on the left is fully designed with star and cloud imagery on the top.  The way she has put the designs together give it a feel of the Northwest Coast style of designs she has done since she lived in Alaska.  Not only is the top of the bowl fully designed but the bottom is also fully incised with "x's".  The coloration from the smoke of the firing works perfectly to enhance the highly detailed surface!  The jar on the right is entitled, "Photo Op" and was inspired by one a historic Edward Curtis photograph.  Here she has incised Hopi maidens sitting and looking down into the plaza and they are surrounded by cameras and rolls of film.  The question is who is being photographed by whom? Are the tourists trying to get a photo opportunity with the Hopi maidens or are the Maidens photographing the visitors to the Mesa?  The neck of the jar is polished and there is a cloud pattern incised around the neck.  Around the shoulder is another cloud pattern interspersed with cameras.  The detail in design and colorations of the jar are visually striking.  She is often at her very best when she is seeking out a way to critique society.  Susan is a daughter of Jody Folwell and sister of Polly Rose Folwell.  She has won numerous awards at event such as Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market.  She has been featured in several books, including NDN, Free Spirit and others.

Left:          Bowl with NW Coast Star & Cloud Designs          6.5"w x 3.75"h                $900.00   

Right:       "Photo Op" Jar                                                              7"w x 8.5"h                     $2200.00

  Susan Folwell - Santa Clara   NEW

Over the past several years Susan Folwell has used her "pop-art" style of painting to bring both humor and commentary to her pottery.  This jar is an exceptional piece and reflect how this style of her work is blending beautifully with her forms and incised designs.  The jar is entitled, "Lone Ranger Love" and painted on the neck of the jar.  The design is in two panels and the cylinder shape of the jar and the black and white coloring of the figures creates almost a "movie screen" appearance to the two figures.  Their faces are separated by an incised area which reveals the color of the clay.  Down the sides separating the two panels are a band of incised and painted kiva step and cloud designs.  The shoulder the jar is fully polished and incised with "x's" which is perfect in contrast for the large painted designs around the neck.  There is certainly a humor here in her depiction of the Lone Ranger and the old Westerns where the hero always gets the girl. Note as well that the imagery is painted using acrylic, but she is able to use the native clay as part of her design, integrating the two media into her whole concept.  Susan is a daughter of Jody Folwell and sister of Polly Rose Folwell.  She has won numerous awards at event such as Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market.  She has been featured in several books, including NDN, Free Spirit and others.

9"w x 9.75"h       

$3000.00

Goldenrod (Gloria Garcia) - Santa Clara  

Gloria Garcia is a daughter of Petra Gutierrez and a sister of potters Minnie Vigil, Lois Gutierrez and the mother of Jason Garcia.  Gloria is known for her intricately incised miniature pottery.  These two pieces are highly polished and the designs are etched into the surface of the clay.  The bowl on the left has a series of four panels with Mimbres inspired stylized bears. Two of the panels have the bears looking upward at bear tracks. The other two have a single and double bear in profile.  There are additional designs separating the panels and rain cloud patterns around the rim.  The bowl on the right has a corn maiden as the design encircling the piece.  There is a single inset of turquoise on the head of the maiden and the body is further highlighted with additional clay slips to create the various colors.   Gloria has won numerous awards for her pottery over the years at Santa Fe Indian Market and has work in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.

Left:        Bowl with Bears                                                3"w x 2.25"h          $600.00

Right:     Bowl with Corn Maiden & Turquoise         2"w x 1.5"h            $250.00 - SOLD

Golden Rod (Gloria Garcia) is renown for her wonderfully incised miniature pottery. Each piece is coil built, stone polished and then the designs are delicately etched into the surface of the clay.  The bowl on the right has ten Mimbres style turtles encircling the piece.  Each one varies in size and complexity.  The red seedpot on the right has a realistic deer as the central design and in the background is an additional sunface and cloud design.   Gloria Garcia is a daughter of Petra Gutierrez and a sister of potters Minnie Vigil, Lois Gutierrez and the mother of Jason Garcia.  Gloria is known for her intricately incised miniature pottery.  Gloria has won numerous awards for her pottery over the years at Santa Fe Indian Market and has work in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC.

Left:        Bowl with Turtles            2.25"w x 2"h            $350.00 - SOLD

Right:     Seedpot w/ Deer              2"w x 1.75"h            $300.00           

Greg Garcia (1961 - 2010) - Santa Clara  

Greg Garcia learned to make pottery from his grandmother, Severa Tafoya. His sisters Tina Garcia and Virginia Garcia are also well known potters.  Greg was known for his classic shapes and highly polished surfaces. This jar is one of his pieces form the early 1990's and it is an elegant shape with a low round shoulder and slight neck.  Typical of his work it is beautifully polished.  The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Greg won numerous awards for his pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Market.

5.25"w x 4.25"h        

$400.00 - SOLD

Jason Garcia - Santa Clara   

These two tiles are recent clay tiles by Jason Garcia, following the Corn Maiden Series.  In this series of his work,  Jason has focused on featuring young women in traditional dress for the Corn Dance and placing them in a modern context.  This tile has a young Corn Maiden dancer who is captured with a lollipop. He has placed her in front of the Kiva and she is dressed in white clothing.  Perhaps this cautions the viewer to see her as less seductive and more naive and innocent. Note the TV satellite dish on the building behind her.  This is imagery that Jason often includes in his work as it is  nod to "Saint Claire" the patron saint of televisions and also Santa Clara Pueblo.  Each piece is a hand built clay tile, made from native clay.  All of the colors are derived from Native clay.   Jason is a son of noted potter Gloria "GoldenRod" Garcia and the nephew of Minnie Vigil, Thelma Talachy, Lois Gutierrez and Tina Garcia. He has won numerous prestigious awards for his tiles at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Market and he has been featured in books and magazine articles on Native pottery.

6.25" x 8.5"              

$1200.00

      Jason Garcia - Santa Clara  

Jason Garcia is known for his thought provoking pottery which often captures pueblo life, history and often snippets of modern life.  The tiles are all handmade from native clay and the designs are all painted with native clay slips and traditionally fired.  The tile on the left is part of a series of his work where he is capturing what kids are thinking about during the traditional dances at the Pueblo.  He often asks his own children to look at the imagery before he fills in the "thought cloud" an supply their own answers.  In this piece the girl is beautifully painted in the traditional Butterfly Maiden tablita and dress.  In the background is the kiva and kiva ladder.  However, it would certainly seem that as she comes off the plaza from the dance, the first thing on her mind is her electronic devices!  The tile in the center is based on some of Jason's Comic Book Cover tiles.  This is the first time he has created this imagery on a smaller piece.  Here the tile is entitled, "If the Thunder be Gone" and is based on the 1680 Pueblo Revolt and the fight between the Conquistadors and the Pueblo Natives.  Note the amazing detail to the design and it's always wonderful how he depicts fire in his tiles!  The tile on the right is entitled, "Jandera" meaning Rain Maiden in Tewa.  Here is a more classic young girl in a very detailed dress and tablita in the midst of the Rain Dance at Santa Clara.  Note the traditional two-dimensional style rain cloud in the sky and again a rain cloud on the back of the tile.  Each of his tiles is a perfect balance between the traditional "two-dimensional" Pueblo artwork and realism.   Jason is a son of noted potter Gloria "GoldenRod" Garcia and the nephew of Minnie Vigil, Thelma Talachy, Lois Gutierrez and Tina Garcia.  He has won numerous prestigious awards for his tiles at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Market and he has been featured in books and magazine articles on Native pottery.

Left:                Butterfly Dancer Tile                        5.5" x 4.5"             $750.00 - SOLD

Center            "If the Thunder Be Gone" Tile        5.5" x 4.5"            $750.00 - SOLD

Right:             Jandera - Rain Maiden Tile             5.5" x 4.5"             $750.00 - SOLD

Jason Garcia - Santa Clara  

Jason Garcia is fascinated with the juxtaposition of modern life and Pueblo culture. The use of clay tiles has been a stylistic choice as a means to present his message.  This box is a wonderful example of his work combining form and his classic "Corn Maiden" designs.  Jason first created these images after seeing how the various participants in the dances behaved after the ceremony was over.  In the first image there are male and female figures, both on cell phones.  The second image has a girl in a tablita taking a picture with her cell phone. The third has a girl talking on her cell phone again in her tablita and finally there is a girl on her phone holding cotton candy.  Note in the background the outlines of significant places in the Village of Santa Clara including the church, kiva and note the TV antennae on the building.  For Jason, the TV antennae are always a nod to St. Claire, the patron saint of the village and also the patron saint of television.  There is certainly a humor in the figures and also wonderful detail in the painting. Typical of Jason, he takes the world in stride and synthesizes it all together in his art. The clay vessel here reveals more of the clay color and has a rougher texture.   All of the colors are derived from Native clay.  Jason is a son of noted potter Gloria "GoldenRod" Garcia and the nephew of Minnie Vigil, Thelma Talachy, Lois Gutierrez and Tina Garcia.  He has won numerous prestigious awards for his tiles at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Market and he has been featured in books and magazine articles on Native pottery.

6"w x 6.5"h  

$1800.00 - SOLD

Tina Garcia was known for her inspiration and revival of many historic Santa Clara shapes.  This small storage jar is one of her pieces from the late 1980's and it is a striking shape with the round body and the slight neck. There are two bear paws impressed in the clay, one on each side.  The jar is very highly polished and in this period of her work the red was a very deep coloration that she was able to achieve with her firing.  This jar is simple, elegant and classic!  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Tina was a sister of Greg Garcia and granddaughter of Severa Tafoya. She won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Market, and her work can also be found in museums around the country.  The photo of Tina above is her getting ready to traditionally fire her pottery.

6"w x 5.75"h        

$750.00

Denny Gutierrez (1942-2013) - Santa Clara  

Denny Gutierrez learned to make pottery from his mother, Katherine Gutierrez.  He was a brother-in-law of San Ildefonso potter Helen Gutierrez.  Denny began making pottery in the 1990's and originally did black-on-black painted ware.  However, he also created his own style of "faceted melon bowl".  These pieces have the ribs like a melon bowl, but they are flattened out, making them more subtle but also reflecting the light beautifully!  This jar is a wonderful oblong shape, which is perfect for seeing the entire surface of the piece. The faceted ribs are highly polished and swirl down from the neck at an angle.  Denny has also made a lid for this piece and it is fully polished, even on the bottom of the lid!  Denny has won numerous awards for his pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market.

4.5"w x 6.5"h (w/ lid)

$700.00 - SOLD

Faustina Gutierrez (1898-1976) - Santa Clara  

Faustina Gutierrez was the grandmother of potter Eugene Gutierrez.  She was known for both her deeply carved and black-on-black pottery.  Both of these pieces reflect the unique style of her painted pottery.  The bowl on the left is from the 1950's and it is highly polished on the inside and outside.  The design is a rain cloud pattern above the shoulder and a rain and seed pattern that extends below the shoulder.  The shape of the bowl made this difficult to photograph, but the design is very nicely painted and it is signed in the clay on the bottom "Faustina".  The plate on the right is fully polished on the front and back and the design on the front is a complex cloud, rain and lighting design.  Note the various layers of design from the cloud at the base to the higher clouds near the rim.  The back is signed with a clay slip "Faustina" and this is probably an earlier piece from the 1930's, as this style of signature was more common at that time.  Both pieces are in very good condition with no other chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is always difficult to find early Santa Clara pieces with such unique designs which have survived over time in such great condition!  Definitely an exciting addition to any collection!

Left:        Bowl with Cloud and Rain Designs            4.75"w x 2.5"h            $350.00

Right:     Plate with Rain Cloud Design                      6.25" diameter            $450.00 -SOLD

Lois Gutierrez is one of the few potters at Santa Clara pueblo who continues to create true polychrome pottery.  Each of the different colors on this piece are derived from different clays!  Few potters are willing to take the time to find the different clays to create the various colors.  This open bowl/plate brings to mind the Mimbres forms of pottery with the open bowl shape. The design consists of three turtles near the center of the bowl.  The viewer is looking down on them, as if they are swimming.  There are additional water designs around the rim which accentuate the sense of movement in the piece.  Lois not only uses all natural clays, but also native fires her pottery.  Lois is the sister of noted potters Gloria Garcia (Goldenrod), Minnie Vigil and Thelma Talachy.  She has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Show" at the Santa Fe Indian Market in the early 1980's. Her work has been featured in numerous books including "Talking with the Clay" and "Beyond Traditions".

11"diamter x 3"h

$900.00

Lois Gutierrez is one of the few potters at Santa Clara pueblo who has focused on polychrome pottery throughout her career. What makes her pottery so distinctive is the use of more than three different natural clay slips to create the color.  They are painted onto the vessel before it is fired, often in a very painterly manner.  Her work also combines traditional Santa Clara designs and ethnographic imagery.  This is an elegant water jar with a low shoulder and slightly turned out neck.  The design below the shoulder is a kiva step and star pattern.  Around the shoulder she has painted a traditional Comanche Dance, which is one that is done at many of the Pueblos.  On the rim of the jar are four "kiva step" patterns, representing the four directions.  Lois is the sister of noted potters Gloria Garcia (Goldenrod), Minnie Vigil and Thelma Talachy.   She is also the aunt of Jason Garcia, who also paints in a polychrome style.  She has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Show" at the Santa Fe Indian Market in the early 1980's. Her work has been featured in numerous books including "Talking with the Clay" and "Beyond Traditions".

9"w x 10.5"h

$2000.00

Margaret Gutierrez and Luther Gutierrez (1911 - 1987) - Santa Clara  

Margaret and Luther were renown for their polychrome pottery figures and vessels.  This brother and sister team created a variety of pottery forms to highlight their unique style of painting.  The jar on the left has a very round form and an the design is an Avanyu which encircles the piece. This jar has a lot of detail in the design imagery and there even small whimsical elements such as a little deer and bug which are painted into the design!  The tall jar on the right is one of their larger pieces and it is beautifully painted.  It is not often that we see pieces of their work at this scale!  There is a raincloud pattern around the neck and the avanyu is complicated in its form as it encircles the bowl.  All the various colors are derived from native clay slips and it was this polychrome style (i.e. more than 3 colors of clay) for which they were renowned.  Both pieces are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are some light scratches on the surfaces of both pieces.  Margaret and Luther learned to make pottery from their parent, Lela and Van Gutierrez and they won numerous awards for their polychrome pottery.  They were one of the few families to keep this important pottery tradition alive at Santa Clara pueblo.

Left:        Small Jar with Avanyu                 5.5"w x 5.75"h               $900.00           

Right:     Tall Jar with Avanyu                    7.75"w x 13"h                $2400.00

Margaret and Luther were the children of noted potters Lela and Van Gutierrez.  They continued the family tradition of polychrome pottery.  These three pieces reflect the variety of forms and designs in their pottery.  On the left is an oval plate with a scene of hunters and animals.  It is one of the more complicated pieces of their work with lots of animals, hunters, a lake and a  mountain scene!  In the center is a striking wedding vase which has a rainbow pattern on each side and a rainbow yei figures extending up the spouts.  It is wonderfully detailed and painted with a variety of clay slips.  It was made in 1981. The bowl on the right is one of their few kiva bowls the terraced shape is in the style of the historic kiva bowls.  The outside is fully painted with yei figures on each of the sections.  All three pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There is one small area of slip missing on a section of red on the kiva bowl, which can be seen in the above photos. The complexity of the designs and the diversity of forms are a testament to the creativity of these two potters!

Left:              Oval Plate with Hunters                 6"w x 4.25"h                     $450.00

Center:         Wedding Vase                                  6"w x 7"h                          $975.00

Right:           Kiva Bowl with Figures                  4.25"w x 4.75"h                $600.00

While much of the work of Margaret & Luther was whimsical in style, particularly their animals, they also created stunning vessels with more classic designs.  Margaret typically made the pieces and Luther did the painting.  These three pieces reflect the sophistication of their early pottery with more complicated shapes and detailed painting.  All of the colors are derived from native clay slips and Margaret & Luther continued the polychrome style pottery of their parent, Lela & Van Gutierrez.  The jar on the left has long handles which extend from the shoulder to the neck.  The design is painted on each side with Yei style figures.  The handles have a lightning design.  The jar has a beautiful balance of form and design and complicated patterns on the figures.  On the right is a large turtle which has been carved on its back (shell).  Each of the carved squares on the back is then painted with a different design.  It creates a wonderful array of imagery and there is certainly a whimsical sense to their work with the face of the turtle!  While we see their turtles it is not often that we come across one so large.  Both pieces are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  They are signed on the bottom, "Margaret/Luther".  Margaret & Luther won numerous awards for their pottery at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market and been featured in various books on Pueblo pottery including the classic 1974 Arizona Highways.

Left:              Tall Jar with Handles                      8"w x 10"h                  $1200.00

Center:         Large Polychrome Turtle               10" long x 4"h             $1200.00

Art Cody Haungooah (1943 - 1983) - Kiowa  

Left:                  Seedpot with Bird  & Bug                                          1.75"w x 1.5"h              $300.00

Left Center:    Seedpot with Mimbres Antelope & Wolf                2"w x 2"h                      $400.00

Right Center: Black Seedpot with Rabbit                                         2"w x 1.75"h                 $375.00 - SOLD

Right:              Brown Seedpot with Feather Design                        1.5"w x 1.5"h                $250.00     

Art Cody Haungooah (1943 - 1983) - Kiowa  

Art Cody Haungooah was one of the fascinating innovators in Pueblo pottery in the 1970's.  He not only taught himself to make pottery, but was a painter, he also took classes and learned to make jewelry and also carved stones and other material to use in his pottery.  Art said of his work, "Pottery is becoming a format for releasing designs and ideas - just like on canvas".  This bowl is a fascinating combination of so many of his various talents!  The bowl is one of his larger pieces and is from August, 1975 so it may have been made specifically for Santa Fe Indian Market or Gallup Ceremonials.  It is a "Fetish Bowl" inspired by the classic Zuni fetish bowls, but with Art's own distinctive style.  The entire surface has been smoothly sanded, rag polished and left matte.  He has inlaid two bands of shell hei-shi beads, one darker and one lighter.  He has carved the various mother of pearl feathers and inlaid them into the clay.  Separating each of the pairs of feathers is a carved animal.  One is a carved shell bear with a turquoise eye and the other a carved shell bird with a coral eye.  The bird and the bear are both tied onto the clay as opposed to the feathers which are actually inset into the clay.  On the opposite two sides are two other fetish animals.  One is a clay bear which he has polished and the given a "fetish bundle" and then tied it inside a mother of pearl shell.  The other side has a snake carved from antler, and again it has the traditional bundle with a feather and turquoise.  The entire piece is almost unexpected in its scale from much of his other work. Yet the use of the bear quickly ties it visually to his style.  Art said, "In the future I will surpass my present work and create artistic works of greater quality".  It makes one wonder if he had worked longer than the short ten year span of his career what other innovative and original works he would have created! The bowl is in in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  The image above of Art is from the 1978 Arizona Republic.  Throughout his short career he won numerous awards at The Heard Museum, Santa Fe Indian Market, Gallup Ceremonials and other events.

11"w x 4.25"h

$2000.00            

Dean Haungooah is the son of noted potter, Art Cody Haungooah.  He has continued in his father's style of sgraffito pottery with very detailed imagery.  The seedpot on the left has a incised bird as the central part of the design.  This piece is also featured in the book, "Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies" by Greg Schaaf on p. 47.  The seedpot on the right has a series of six roses and a cross incised into the clay. 

Left:        Seedpot with Bird                           1.5"w x 1.5"h        $150.00 - SOLD

Right:     Seedpot w/ Roses                            1.75"w x 2.25"h    $150.00

      Myra Little Snow (b. 1962) - Santa Clara   NEW

Myra Little Snow is a daughter of Lucy Yearflower Tafoya, a granddaughter of Camilio Tafoya and the sister of Shawn, Kelli Little Katchina and Forrest Tafoya.  She began making pottery in the early 1970's and was featured in the "7 Families in Pueblo Pottery" book.  The bowl on the left is from 1974 is carved with 18 feathers encircling the piece.  The feathers are tightly carved and the entire bowl is fully polished.  The jar on the right is from 1977.  For a small piece it is a beautiful shape with a wide shoulder and a small neck.  It is very highly polished with a glassy appearance.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  While Myra no longer makes pottery, her early pieces are a wonderful part of the history of Camilio Tafoya's family legacy!

Left:            Bowl with Carved Feathers                2.5"w x 2"h                $175.00

Center        Plainware Wide Shoulder Jar            2.25"w x 1.75"h         $150.00

Rosemary is a daughter of Joseph Lonewolf and is known for her intricately etched miniatures seedpots.  Here is three exceptional miniature which are fully incised and the designs are highlighted with additional clay slips.  The miniature jar on the left has an incised feather pattern around the neck and an avanyu around the base.  The designs are highlighted with a bluish-white clay slip.  This jar is reminiscent of classic Santa Clara pottery forms.  Typical of her work, the balance of polished and matte areas is simply perfect and complements the intricacy of the designs. The seedpot in the center  is larger in size and has three realistic butterflies on the top half and flowers on the lower section.   Looking down from the top are incised butterfly wing patterns.  There are additional green, white and blue clay slips.  The seedpot on the right has a Mimbres style deer on the top, which is surrounded by a green clay slip and the remainder of the piece is fully polished red.  While Rosemary rarely makes her incised pottery, these are exceptional examples of why her work has achieved such recognition.  All three are in perfect condition.  Rosemary has been featured in numerous books, including "Beyond Traditions" and has received numerous awards for her intricate pottery and use of realism in her designs.

Left:             Jar with Avanyu & Feathers                  1"w x 1.25"h               $200.00

Center:        Seedpot with Butterflies                        1.5"w x 1.5"h              $500.00

Right:          Seedpot with Deer                                  1 1/8"w x .5"h             $200.00   

Rosemary "Appleblossom" Lonewolf - Santa Clara  

This striking seedpot is a larger piece of work by Rosemary.  She is a daughter of Joseph Lonewolf and learned to create similar highly polished and delicately etched pottery.  This seedpot on the left is one of her larger pieces. It has a single realistic butterfly on one side with a flower extending up over the top.  Take a moment and examine the first image of the butterfly.  The white is an additional clay slip, but the matte red coloration is where she has lightly etched away the top layer of polished slip, but not gone deep enough to get to the more tan colored body of the seedpot.  Technically, it is difficult to control the depth of the sgraffito with such skill!  As the seedpot is turned there are two stylized butterflies near the opposite side of the realistic one.  There are additional realistic plants and also a section with a series of cloud, rain and geometric patterns.  The contrast of the matte and polished surfaces works perfectly on this piece!   The seedpot on the right has a bird incised on the top and it is highlighted with a green clay slip.  Around the sides is a feather pattern with a white clay slip and there are also 3 small Mimbres style birds incorporated into the feather pattern.  While Rosemary rarely makes her incised pottery today, these are exceptional examples of why her work has achieved such recognition.  Both pieces are in perfect condition.  Rosemary has been featured in numerous books, including "Beyond Traditions" and has received numerous awards for her intricate pottery and use of realism in her designs.

Left:            Large Seedpot with Butterfly                2.25"w x 3"h            $800.00

Right:         Seedpot with Bird                                   1.5"w x 1"h              $500.00

Grace Medicine Flower (b. 1938) - Santa Clara   NEW

Early in her career, Grace was well known for her miniature sgraffito (etched) pottery. Each piece is coil built, stone polished and etched before it is fired.  These two pieces are among her more unusual miniatures.  The seedpot on the left is from 1977 and it is fired black and has a very realistic chipmunk as the design. The chipmunk is surrounded by butterflies, acorn leaves and traditional geometric patterns.  It is not often that we see Grace's early pottery fired black as opposed to red. The larger seedpot on the right is very unusual with the tan polished top and the red sides.  The seedpot was made in 1976 and the design on the top is a water serpent.  The sides have six butterflies etched into the clay.  It is a fascinating contrast of the red and tan colorations.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Grace was one of the first at Santa Clara Pueblo to begin etching into the surface of the pottery.  She did this along with her brother, Joseph Lonewolf, and her father, Camilio Tafoya.  She has been featured in documentaries and in books such as "The Art of Clay" and has been recognized with a lifetime achievement award from SWAIA.

Left:           Black Seedpot with Chipmunk                        2.25"w x 2"h                $1600.00

Right:        Red & Tan Seedpot w/ Butterflies/Avanyu    4"w x 2.25"h                $2000.00

Grace Medicine Flower (b. 1938) - Santa Clara   NEW

Innovative and Unique!  This is a fantastic bowl by Grace Medicine Flower.  She continues to create technically difficult pieces using native clays.  This bowl has three horses which are carved in relief on the surface.  Each horse is then painted with natural clay slips to create the coloration! What makes this so difficult is that the clays are quickly absorbed as she dabs them onto the surface, creating a 'watercolor" style appearance. Each of the horses is a different breed and each has a different style of marking.  On their heads there are circles around the eyes.  She said that this was done with horses to help them "see through danger".  The horses also have different designs on them such as handprints on their flanks and lightning and straight lines to mean "fast running".  Note in the fourth image above that each of the designs on the horses has also been carved above them in the clay in relief.  The same symbols are also carved in relief on the bottom of the bowl.  While the horses are matte, the carved areas below the horses are polished and slipped with clay and micaceous slips.  These carved areas also have incised designs.  In addition to all the design she has also carved the rim of the bowl and even carved through the clay as part of the design!  The top can be seen in the fourth image above and it is amazing that she can carve into the rim and have the piece survive and not crack. Note that all of Grace's colorations, incising and design work is done before the vessel is fired, which adds to the complex and risky nature of her work! Grace has not only received the SWAIA Lifetime Achievement Award, but also was one of the early innovators of the "sgraffito" technique and her work can be found in museums around the world.  She continues to be a true innovator on a technical level, but more importantly, creates vessels of aesthetic beauty far beyond the simplicity of the clay itself.

5.5"w x 5.25"h

$8400.00

Jennifer Moquino - Santa Clara  

Jennifer Moquino is a daughter of Ray and Emily Tafoya while Mike is a son of Corn Moquino.  The use of realism in their imagery has revitalized the style of sgraffito pottery originated by Joseph Lonewolf in the 1970's.  This jar combines a variety of her

styles with three medallions separated by incised trout.  One medallion has two incised bald eagles.  The next has a bear and the third two trout.  Encircling the bowl around the neck it a water serpent (avanyu).  The lid also has fish swimming around the sculptural bear.  The detail in the various animals and even the fall colored leaves around the bear give the bowl a fantastic sense of realism!!! The various colors are all derived from natural clay slips, which Jennifer finds herself.  It is always the little details which make Jennifer's pottery so spectacular.  The contrast of tightly etched designs and the beautiful polished surface are stunning.  Jennifer has won numerous awards for her pottery and is featured in books such as "Talking with the Clay", "Crafted to Perfection" and "Breaking the Mold".  Jennifer has also been featured in recent magazine articles in "Native Peoples" and "Southwest Art" and most recently won "Best of Pottery" for a collaborative jar at the 2013 Heard Indian Market.

3.25"w x 3.5"h

$2200.00 - SOLD

Jennifer & Mike Moquino - Santa Clara      

This jar is a very unusual piece by Jennifer.  It is fired a brownish-red in stead of her usual black.  The brown surface has two

micaceous-matte encircling the piece. She has incised them so that they are textured like waves of sand on a sand dune!  The use of the micaceous clay works perfectly in contrast to the rest of the highly polished surface. The jar has 9 etched horned lizards as the design. Each of them is a different species with their different patterns of scales on their back. Typical of her work the realism is outstanding!  The lid has the incised shifting sand pattern and the horned lizard is also painted with clay slips.  A perfect complement to the remainder of the jar!  Jennifer not only has an eye for realism but also for the aesthetic of the various colors used in her work.  The various colors are all derived from natural clay slips, which Jennifer finds herself.  Jennifer Moquino is a daughter of Ray and Emily Tafoya while Mike is a son of Corn Moquino.   Their use of realism in their imagery has revitalized the style of sgraffito pottery originated by Joseph Lonewolf in the 1970's. They are certainly among the most exciting young potters working today.  They have won numerous awards for their pottery and are featured in books such as "Talking with the Clay", "Crafted to Perfection" and "Breaking the Mold".  Jennifer has also been featured in recent magazine articles in "Native Peoples" and "Southwest Art".

3.5"w x 3.75"h (w/ lid)

$3200.00 - SOLD

Barbarita Tafoya Naranjo (1917-1984) - Santa Clara     

Barbarita Naranjo was a daughter of noted potter Pasquelita Tafoya and a nice of Sara Fina Tafoya. She was an aunt of Cresencia Tafoya, Gloria Garcia, Minnie Vigil and Lois Gutierrez.  Her daughters Veronica Naranjo and Mary Scarsborough also continue to make pottery.  Barbarita was known for both her carved and painted pottery.  The large jar on the left is one of her pieces from the 1970's.  It is very deeply carved with an avanyu encircling the top of the piece.  The entire surface is fully polished and the traditional cream colored clay slip is in the background area around the carving.  It is not jus the size but the coloration of the red which makes this jar so striking.  It is a very deep red coloration and the surface is beautifully polished.  The small bowl on the right is fired black and has a rain cloud design around the rim.  There are small painted rain drop which are descending from the cloud. The bowl is very highly polished with a glassy shine.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Barbarita was not a prolific potter and so we do not see much of her work come back onto the market yet the pieces, such as these two, are exceptional in quality and design!

Left:            Red Carved Jar with Avanyu                    9.5"w x 5.75"h            $975.00 - SOLD

Right:         Black-on-black bowl w/ Rain Clouds     1.75"w x 1.75"h          $125.00

Christina Naranjo (1891-1980) - Santa Clara      NEW

Christina Naranjo was a daughter of Sara Fina Tafoya and a sister of Margaret Tafoya and Camilio Tafoya.  She was the matriarch of a family of renowned potters including daughters Mary Cain, Teresita Naranjo and great-granddaughters Tammy Garcia and Autumn Borts.  This jar is a classic shape for Christina's pottery with the round shoulder and an elongated neck.  The jar is carved with an avanyu as the design which encircles the entire jar.  This piece is a collaborative with her daughter Mary Cain.  The shape and carving style are similar to Christina's pottery so it may have been that Mary did the polishing of the surface.  It is not often that we see their collaborative pieces!  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Christina Naranjo + Mary Cain". The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Christina's pottery can be found in museums nationwide and in books such as "7 Families in Pueblo Pottery".

6.5"w x 6.5"h          

$1500.00

Dolly Naranjo - Santa Clara     

Dolly Naranjo is a daughter or Rose Naranjo and a sister of artists Jody Folwell, Michael Naranjo, Nora Naranjo-Morse and Rina Swentzell.  She is the mother of noted potters Jody Naranjo and Eli Naranjo.  Dolly creates coil built pieces with incised designs and firing technique the leaves them brownish in color.  The bowl on the left is polished around the rim and to the shoulder.  The imagery is a band of incised Mimbres inspired fish.  They are each a different in shape and design on the bodies.  The bowl also received a 2nd prize ribbon at the 1986 Santa Fe Indian Market.  The jar on the right is polished from the rim to the top of the neck.  The design is incised around the shoulder and there are horses and arrows as the design.  The remainder of the pieces is a tannish color with almost a leather appearance.  Dolly has won numerous awards for her pottery and her work can be found in museums nationwide.  It is always exciting to see such distinctive pieces by this renowned potter!

Left:            Bowl with Mimbres Fish                        5"w x 3.5"h            $500.00

Right:         Jar with Horses                                         7"w x 5"h               $750.00

Elizabeth Naranjo (b. 1929)  - Santa Clara   

Elizabeth Naranjo is a daughter of potter Pablita Chavarria and the sister of noted potters Reycita Naranjo, Clara Shije and Mary Singer.  Elizabeth was renowned throughout her career for her large size vessels and beautifully carved designs. This tall water jar is a stunning piece of her pottery.  Perfectly carved there is a feather pattern around the neck and a water serpent encircling the body of the piece.  The polishing is done so that it has a very even appearance to the surface and the piece has been fired a deep black.  While Elizabeth no longer makes pottery, this is an exceptional piece of her pottery. As well, it it has a charming provenance, as it was originally acquire from the Popovi Da studio in 1978 and a copy of the original invoice is included with the sale.  This jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Elizabeth won won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and her work is featured in numerous books on Pueblo pottery.

9"w x 13"h                    

$2700.00 - SOLD

Forest Naranjo pottery is well known for its high polish, fine incised decoration, and brown coloration from the firing.  Forest is from a well known family of  Santa Clara artists, including  mother, Bernice Naranjo (potter), father, Tito Naranjo (sculptor),  sister Dusty Naranjo (potter) and his son Johnathan Naranjo (potter).  On the left is a bear fetish made from clay. It is fully polished and incised on both sides. The firing has given it a wonderful coloration which varies from dark brown to lighter brown areas.  The design is incised into the clay and it a combination of butterflies and flowers on each of the sides.  The large jar on the right is very highly polished and a more modern shape with a low shoulder and elongated neck. The jar is fired so that there are color variations around the entire surface.  Around the shoulder the entire piece is fully incised with stylized buffalo which are interlocking and connected with fineline designs.  There are additional sun and moon patterns in addition to the buffalo.  The rim of the jar is carved with two kiva step designs.  Forest has won numerous awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and other events. 

Left:        Bear with Butterflies & Flowers           4.25"w  x 3"h            $350.00

Right:     Long Neck Jar with Buffalo                  5"w x 9.75"h             $800.00 - SOLD

  Jody Naranjo - Santa Clara     

Jody Naranjo has found a distinctive place in the world of contemporary Pueblo pottery. Since the early 1990's her creative style has helped to redefine contemporary Pueblo pottery.   These two pieces are a beautiful combination of form, design and color.  Each piece is made using traditional methods from coil building the vessels to outdoor firings.  It is in the firing that she creates the distinctive coloration to her pottery.  Her whimsical imagery is etched into the surface of the clay.  The balance of matte and polished surfaces give the designs an even more distinctive appearance. On the left is a wide shoulder jar with an elongated neck.  The neck has polished circular designs and the rim itself is polished  The area above the shoulder is matte and has deer, elk, antelope and buffalo dancers. There are also two beautifully detailed female buffalo dancers.  The groups of dancers are separated by pueblo buildings and note the mountains in the background!  Around the shoulder the jar has incised fish as the design.  The entire base is also fully polished and fully incised with a star pattern.  It is wonderful to see a piece that capture such a traditional ethnographic event in Jody's distinctive style.  The jar on the right has one of her more unique designs.  She has created more imaginary and whimsical figures and titled this piece "Elk Holding Trout"! The imagery is repeated around the top of the jar where she has highly polished the surface.  The beauty of the polished surface is accentuated by the use of a micaceous copper colored slip which she has applied in the area that has been etched away. Around the shoulder and down to the base the jar is matte and fully incised with a star pattern and a flower pattern in the matte.  The contrast of the matte and polished surfaces is always striking on her pottery.  Jody comes from a family of renown artists and potters, including her mother Dolly Naranjo, aunts Jody Folwell, Nora Naranjo-Morse and Rina Swentzell  She has won numerous major awards for her pottery including "Best of Pottery" at Santa Fe Indian Market and "Best of Show" at the Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market in addition to a variety of other blue ribbon prizes.   Her pottery has been featured in numerous books and it is in the permanent collection of museums worldwide.   It is always exciting to see such distinctive and impressive pieces by this renowned potter!

Left:            Jar with Antelope, Deer & Buffalo Dancers               8.5"w x 7.5"h                 $2500.00

Right:        Jar with "Elk Holding Trout"                                          8"w x 4"h                       $1800.00

      Jody Naranjo - Santa Clara     

Jody Naranjo has found a distinctive place in the world of contemporary Pueblo pottery. Since the early 1990's her creative style has helped to redefine contemporary Pueblo pottery.  The seedpot on the left is from 2004 and it embodies the striking characteristics of her pottery. the top and bottom are fully polished and the center is matte. The polished surfaces are incised with a swirl pattern while the matte area has Mimbres inspired birds.  The birds interlock as they encircle the piece.  There is a wonderful sense of motion, movement and frivolity in this piece!  The design on the top and the swirling sense of the design almost looks as if she was inspired by a merry-go-round! This jar on the right is one of the tallest pieces we have seen of Jody's work in a while.  It is a stunning piece which has been beautifully fired to create the variations in the color.  The rim and vase are fully polished and fully designed.  The area around the center is matte and incised with horses and riders.  Note how the face and movement of each rider is different!  As well, the area behind the figures is also fully incised with linear designs.  Jody comes from a family of renown artists and potters, including her mother Dolly Naranjo, aunts Jody Folwell, Nora Naranjo-Morse and Rina Swentzell  She has won numerous major awards for her pottery including "Best of Pottery" at Santa Fe Indian Market and "Best of Show" at the Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market in addition to a variety of other blue ribbon prizes.   Her pottery has been featured in numerous books and it is in the permanent collection of museums worldwide.   It is always exciting to see such distinctive and impressive pieces by this renowned potter!

Left:            Seedpot with Birds                            5.5"w x 4"h           $1500.00

Right:         Large Jar with Horses & Riders       10"w x 13"h          $7000.00

Johnathan Naranjo - Santa Clara      NEW

 Johnathan Naranjo is a son of noted potter Forest Naranjo and a grandson of Bernice Naranjo.  While he began making pottery as a child, it is really over the past few years that his work has evolved into his distinctive style.  Each piece is coil built and stone polished and the coloration is derived from the firing, as it is taken out of the manure that would turn it black early, so it remains a darker brown. The designs are then incised into the clay and the various colorations  of the tan or red are created by the depth of cutting into the clay.  The asymmetrical jar on the left has three incised lizards as the design.  The bodies and tail encircle the jar and note Johnathan's distinctive style of deeply incising around the edges of the lizards while lightly incising their bodies for detail.  The seedpot on the right is striking in its use of complex designs.  On one side there are two koshari clowns and note how they are sitting on the geometric design that encircles the piece!  Johnathan has created an amazing sense of dimension as the hands or loincloth seem to simply fold over the design!  As the piece is turned there are two girls coming up from the river with water jars on their heads.  Across the center of the seedpot is a multi-story pueblo village.  Note the complexity of the design and that the reddish color is from very lightly scratching away the polished surface.  He has created depth, dimension and even shadows!  Both pieces are very highly stone polished which adds to the contrasting incised designs.  Creating work at this level of creativity, he will certainly be one of the young Santa Clara potters to watch!

Left:        Jar with Lizards                                2"w x 3.75"h        $150.00
Right:     Seedpot w/ Koshari & Maidens    3.75"w x 3"h        $550.00 -  SOLD

 Johnathan Naranjo - Santa Clara      

This is a fascinating large jar from Johnathan Naranjo.  It is interesting how he is creating a form to complement his intended design.  This jar has an asymmetrical rim which he has carved and incised to have the appearance of mountain peaks with the matte area on the rim being the snow.  The remainder of the jar is fully polished and fired a beautiful brownish-black coloration.  The imagery that is incised into the pieces is a group of Big Horn Sheep which are on the neck and around the base.  There is a single large Ram on the back of the jar.  Note his style of incising which incorporates a strong incised line around the animal and the ability to lightly etch or scratch away at the polished surface to create the various shades of red.  As well, the placement of the imagery and the use of the negative space give his work a very sophisticated appearance.  On the inside of the rim the jar has incised petroglyph Big Horn Sheep and cloud designs.  The coloration from the traditional firing is striking on the bowl.  Johnathan Naranjo is a son of noted potter Forest Naranjo and a grandson of Bernice Naranjo.  While he began making pottery as a child, it is really over the past few years that his work has evolved into his distinctive style.  Each piece is coil built and stone polished and the coloration is derived from the firing, as it is taken out of the manure that would turn it black early, so it remains a darker brown.  Creating work at this level of creativity, he will certainly be one of the young Santa Clara potters to watch!

5.5"w x 8.5"h

$850.00

       Madeline Naranjo - Santa Clara  

Madeline Naranjo is a granddaughter of Madeline Naranjo.   She is known for her deeply carved pottery which is thin walled and contrasts matte and carved areas to accentuate the designs.  The jar on the left has two avanyu carved into the clay. One is matte and the other polished, so they create an intertwined design. The jar on the right has four bears as the design.  They are alternating matte and polished surfaces.  The detail and crisp lines of the carving are simply perfect!    Madeline has won awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and is definitely an "up and coming" Santa Clara potter to watch!

Left:        Bowl with Intertwined Avanyu                3.25"w x 2.75"h        $300.00

Right:     Bowl with Bears                                           3.25"w x 2.75"h        $300.00

Maria I. Naranjo (b. 1919) - Santa Clara     

While Maria Naranjo no longer makes pottery, she was known for her figurative work. Her daughter Martha Mirabal also continues to create pottery in a similar classic style. The bear on the left is wonderfully detailed in form giving it a more realistic appearance. The entire piece is fully polished but the fish is matte.  The jar in the center is carved with a mountain pattern around the shoulder and the remainder of the piece is fully polished.  It is one of the few jar of hers we have seen and it is beautifully polished.  The horse on the right is not signed but was originally acquired with the other two and it is typical of her horses. All three pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Left:            Bear with Fish                            4"w x 4"h            $100.00    - SOLD

Center:       Jar with Mountain Design       4"w x 6"h            $150.00

Right:         Horse                                            6"w x 5.25"h       $80.00      - SOLD      

Nicolasa Naranjo (1907-2002) - Santa Clara      NEW

Nicolasa Naranjo was a daughter of potter Tomasita Tafoya Naranjo and a niece of Margaret Tafoya.  It was Tomasita who taught Margaret how to make pottery.  Nicolasa was known for her larger pottery, painted in the classic black-on-black style.  This wedding vase has a feather pattern on the sides and rain pattern on the front and back. The entire piece is fully polished.  The wedding vase is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom, "Nicolasa, Santa Clara". 

7"w x 9"h             

$600.00

         Paul Naranjo (1960-1993) - Santa Clara     

Paul Naranjo was among the first Santa Clara potters to create full wildlife scenes on his brown fired pottery. This seedpot on the left has the classic brown coloration from the firing.  The design is a deer which is incised into the clay.  The deer is surrounded by a tree, forest and there is a classic feather style design at the very top.  The bowl on the right is an earlier piece of his pottery and it is fired a darker brown coloration.  There is a deer on one side and the base is incised with plant designs.  The side opposite the deer is plain and there is a simple cloud and rain design around the rim.  Take a closer look at the deer and note how Paul incised the deer in a very "painterly" manner.  Paul's son, Luciano is now continuing in his father's style of pottery.  Paul also taught and inspired Kevin Naranjo in his pottery designs.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. Paul's pottery has been featured in numerous books including "Beyond Traditions".

Left:            Seedpot with Deer                4"w x 3"h              $400.00

Right:         Bowl with Deer                      5"w x 3"h             $400.00

Teresita Naranjo (1919-1999) - Santa Clara    

It is not often that we come across miniatures by Teresita Naranjo!  For the size of these pieces it is amazing how deeply she was able to carve the designs.  The jar on the left is fired black and has a feather pattern around the neck and a water serpent around the body of the piece.  The small bowl on the right has a mountain and rain design that is carved into the clay.  The piece is stone polished to a high shine and note how she also put the traditional cream colored clay slip into the area behind the carving!  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.   Teresita was a daughter of Christina Naranjo,  a sister of Mary Cain and the great-aunt to Autumn Borts and Tammy Garcia.  She was renown for her deep carved pottery and was one of the first to carve outside the linear band designs seen on most Santa Clara pottery.  Her pottery can be found in the permanent collection of museums nationwide including The National Museum of the American Indian, the Denver Art Museum and the Heard. 

Left:            Black Jar with Avanyu & Feather Pattern        1.5"w x 2.5"h        $250.00

Right:         Red Bowl with Mountain and Rain Design    1.5"w x 1"h           $125.00

Teresita Naranjo (1919-1999) - Santa Clara    

Teresita Naranjo holds a place of historic significance in Santa Clara pottery, as she is considered the first to carve outside the linear band designs for her imagery. Her carving was always deep and crisp and the designs seems to flow gracefully around the surface.  The jar on the left is highly polished and fired a deep red.  The designs are a series of bird wings and rain patterns.  Note how the negative space of the neck and the base extend up into the carved sections.  The background also has the traditional cream colored sip in the background.  The black jar on the right has been beautifully fired and is almost gunmetal in coloration!  The designs are a series of water and rain designs which undulate across the surface.  The shape and designs are perfectly blended on this jar.  Both pieces are from the late 1970's and they are both in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Teresita was a daughter of Christina Naranjo,  a sister of Mary Cain and the great-aunt to Autumn Borts and Tammy Garcia.  Her pottery can be found in the permanent collection of museums nationwide including The National Museum of the American Indian, the Denver Art Museum and the Heard. 

Left:        Red Jar with Rain and Bird Wing Designs        5"w x 5.5"h            $1600.00 - SOLD

Right:     Black Jar with Water and Cloud Patterns           4.5"w x 5.5"h         $1500.00

Teresita Naranjo (1919-1999) - Santa Clara    

This is a stunning jar by Teresita Naranjo. She a daughter of Christina Naranjo,  a sister of Mary Cain and the great-aunt to Autumn Borts and Tammy Garcia.  She was renown for her deep carved pottery and was one of the first to carve outside the linear band designs seen on most Santa Clara pottery.  This jar is an elegant shape with a wide shoulder and a slightly sloping neck.  Around the neck it is carved with a feather pattern while around the shoulder it has a water serpent.  Typical of her work it is very deep carved and highly polished.  The background area surrounding the carving has the traditional creame colored clay slip which helps create a visual distinction between the polished and matte areas.  The red color of the clay on this jar is just spectacular!   It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. Teresita's pottery can be found in the permanent collection of museums nationwide including The National Museum of the American Indian, the Denver Art Museum and the Heard. 

7.75"w x 7"h               

$3800.00 - SOLD

Elmer Red Starr - Sioux     NEW

Red Starr is a Sioux potter who was married to Harriet Tafoya (a sister of Annie Baca) of Santa Clara Pueblo and learned to make pottery from her.  Each piece of his pottery is highly polished and tightly incised, typically with animal motifs. The bowl on the left is highly polished and has a buffalo, eagle prayer feather dance wand and a buffalo head as the design.  There are additional feather and geometric patterns.  The jar in the center is unusual with its brown coloration.  It has rabbits on each side.  The jar on the right is fully polished and has a realistic Mt. Goat incised into the clay on one side and a Tewa style sunface on the other side.  Between the two sections there are Tewa and "Sioux" style feathers incised into the clay.  He has inset four pieces of turquoise around the neck. Red Starr has won numerous awards for his pottery at events such as Gallup Ceremonials.

Left:         Bowl with Buffalo                       2.25"w x 1.75"h           $250.00

Center:   Cylinder with Rabbits                1.25"w x 1.5"h              $150.00

Right:     Jar with Mtn. Goat & Sunface   3"w x 3.5"h                   $450.00

      Cliff Roller (b. 1961) - Santa Clara    NEW

Cliff Roller learned to make pottery from his mother, Toni Roller, and he is also a grandson of noted potter, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001).  His pottery is traditional in form and design with crisply carved lines and a beautiful even stone polished surface.  The bowl on the left has a very deeply carved rain and lightning design. There are small rain drops which are carved into the negative space on one side of the bowl and lightning and rain patterns around the remainder. The jar on the right is from 2004 and it is carved around the neck and there is a mountain (mesa) design with a wind pattern blowing down the side of the mountain.  The area near the base is fully polished.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  While Cliff makes very little pottery these days, it is great to see the quality of work which he has created in the clay!  He has won numerous awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Fair for his pottery. 

Left:        Bowl with Rain and Lightning Design        4.75"w x 3.25"h        $600.00

Right:     Jar with Mountain and Wind Pattern           5"w x 4.75"h             $800.00

   Jeff Roller - Santa Clara    NEW

Jeff Roller is known for both his pottery and sculpting abilities.  He learned to make pottery from his mother, Toni Roller, and he is also a grandson of noted potter, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001).  He continues to make traditional pottery and there is a remarkable attention to the crisp carved lines in his work as well as a evenness to his stone polished surfaces.  This black water jar is an elegant shape with a wide shoulder and slightly turned out neck. The entire piece is fully polished and note how it is also polished on the inside of the neck!  The jar has a lightning and rain pattern which is carved in the clay.  It is a simple pattern yet the contrast of such an angular design with the soft curves of the jar create a strong visual image.  Jeff has won numerous awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Fair for his pottery.  His work continues to evolve with more complicated forms and detailed animals. 

6.5"w x 5"h

$1400.00

   Jeff Roller - Santa Clara    

Stunning coloration and detail!  Jeff was among the first Santa Clara potters to use native clay to sculpt and create realistic animals as the lids for his pottery.  He learned to make pottery from his mother, Toni Roller, and he is also a grandson of noted potter, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001).   It has been fired a brownish-plum color!  This coloration is created at the end of the firing process and removing it from the manure early so that it has not fully oxidized and turned black.  The jar is deeply carved and has a mountain design around the shoulder and a cloud pattern in matte near the neck.  The jar is stone polished to achieve the high shine.  It is the lid which he carves from Santa Clara clay which is a visual signature to his pottery.  Here he has carved a very delicate ram from the clay and it is beautifully detailed.  Note the sense of motion in the Big Horn Sheep, as well as the musculature!  It is left unpolished or matte in complement to the polished surfaces on the bowl.  Jeff has won numerous awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Fair for his pottery.  His work continues to evolve with more complicated forms and detailed animals. 

8.25"w x 9.25"h (w/lid)   

$4800.00- SOLD

   Jeff Roller - Santa Clara    NEW

This is certainly one of the largest and most dramatic pieces by Jeff Roller!  This large storage jar is an amazing piece with four bear paws around the neck. The jar is then carved around the center with a walking bear paw design. The entire piece is fully polished and he has achieved a beautiful shine to the surface by simply polishing it with a stone!  The jar has been fired a deep black.  The use of the bear paws around the top of the storage jar is certainly a tribute to his grandmother Margaret Tafoya and his great-grandmother Sara Fina Tafoya, both of whom were renown for making large storage jars!  It is great to see a potter working at this scale!  The image on the right is of the jar in the gallery next to a red storage jar by Margaret Tafoya and three pieces of Ryan Rollers on the right.  Jeff learned to make pottery from his mother, Toni Roller, and he is also a grandson of noted potter, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001).   He has won numerous awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Fair for his pottery.  His work continues to evolve with more complicated forms and detailed animal lids. 

12.5"w x 16"h

$9000.00

Ryan Roller (b. 1982) - Santa Clara    

Ryan Roller is certainly one of the young potters to watch.  He learned to make pottery from his grandmother, Toni Roller, and his father, Jeff Roller.  While he has been making pottery since he was a child it is his recent work which has risen to a new level of sophistication in form, polish, carving and firing techniques.  Ryan has created very distinctive forms for his pottery which are inspired by more traditional shapes.  Check out the size of this jar!  A piece this tall is technically difficult form to coil build with the straight sides near the base and the double shoulder leading up to the neck.  The two shoulders are each sharply delineated and create a striking contrast for the light to reflect of the highly polished surface.  The carving around the neck is a could pattern while there is a wind design around the shoulder.  Ryan has been experimenting with various firing techniques and this jar is one of his "two-tone" pieces which incorporates a traditional red firing with aspects of the black firing and the reduction technique using manure to make a piece black.  Here he has just made the area from the shoulder to the neck black while the remainder is a dark almost purplish-brown.  Ryan said that this is his sixth piece that he has created with this distinctive "two-tone" coloration.  It is exciting to see a potter work to create new variations on the classic themes and techniques!  We certainly are excited to see more from this young potter!

7.5"w x 14.5"h

$3200.00

      Toni Roller (b. 1935) - Santa Clara    NEW

Toni Roller is a daughter of Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001) and a sister of noted potters LuAnn Tafoya, Shirley Tafoya, Mary Ester Archuleta and Mela Youngblood.  This bowl on the left is a one of the classic forms from Santa Clara.  The shape is called a "gourd pot" for the indented section.  The relation to the gourd is not only in the form, but also that potters use gourd shards for scraping and forming their pottery.  The gourd is an essential tool in making pueblo pottery and as such the stories go that it deserved it's own style of bowl.  Technically this style is difficult to polish, as there are so many angles and facets to the surface but the result is striking.  The jar on the right is from 1978 and it is a striking shape with the sharp edge and the slight neck. The jar is carved above the shoulder with a water serpent (avanyu) design.  Typical of Toni's pottery, both pieces are highly polished with a very even coloration.  Toni is committed to the precision of her pottery this piece is a perfect reflection of that commitment.  Toni has won numerous awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market and she has been featured in several books. 

Left:        Black Gourd Bowl            7"w x 5"h                           $1800.00 - SOLD

Right:     Jar with Avanyu                8.25"w x 4.5"h                   $1500.00

       Toni Roller (b. 1935) - Santa Clara    NEW

Toni Roller is a daughter of Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001) and a sister of noted potters LuAnn Tafoya, Shirley Tafoya, Mary Ester Archuleta and Mela Youngblood.  She is known for her deeply carved pottery as well as the exquisite stone polished surface.  The bowl on the left has a carved avanyu as the design.  The bowl is from 1977 and it is in excellent condition.  The melon bowl on the right is from 1981 and it is a tall shape with wide ribs. The eight ribs are deeply carved into the clay and widely spaced.  It is the simplicity of the shape and the high shine which make it such a striking piece!  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Toni is committed to the precision of her pottery this piece is a perfect reflection of that commitment.  Toni has won numerous awards at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market and she has been featured in several books. 

Left:        Bowl with Carved Avanyu            3.5"w x 2.25"h        $450.00

Right:     Black Melon Bowl                            5.5"w x 5"h            $900.00 - SOLD

  Monica Naranjo Romero - Santa Clara    

Monica Romero is a daughter of noted miniaturist potter Geri Naranjo.  Monica continues in the family tradition of making miniatures.  These three miniatures reflect the variety of he work and the complexity of the designs and forms.  On the left is a small bowl with a fully incised top.  There is a water serpent above a cloud and rain pattern.  The top of the bowl is "black and sienna", as it has been two-toned.  On the right is a miniature plate which has an avanyu (water serpent) as the central design around a rain and kiva step medallion.  Monica has won awards for her pottery and continues to develop her own unique style of pottery, while keeping her foundation in the work of her mother.

Left:             Jar with Avanyu & Rain Designs        1.75"w x .75"h             $225.00  

Right:          Plate w/ Avanyu                                     1.25" diameter             $150.00

   Susan "Snowflake" Romero - Santa Clara  

Susan Romero learned to etch her pottery from her father Joseph Lonewolf and signs her pieces with her Tewa name, "Pho-Sa-We" or "Snowflake".  Her pottery is highly polished and intricately etched with detailed imagery.  Her techniques of scratching the design into the surface of the clay allows her to create numerous levels by contrasting the color of the clay.  The polished, red and tan matte colorations become her palate for the designs.  Here are two intricate miniatures of her work. On the left is a seedpot with four different dancers.  The three different dancers are circling around to the one that is dressed as a bear.  The seedpot on the right has Mimbres style lizards as the design.  There are three lizards which are overlapping pottery shard designs.  While her pieces do not have additional colored clays added to them, the intricacy and detail of her designs make them among most amazing sgraffito work being created at Santa Clara Pueblo!

Left:         Seedpot with Dancers                 2"w x 1.75"h               $600.00       

Right:      Seedpot with Three Lizards      1.5"w x 1.25"h            $400.00

   Helen Shupla (1928-1985) - Santa Clara  

While Helen Shupla is best known for her melon bowls, she was also amazingly creative at her carved pottery designs. Here is a larger piece of her carved ware. There is a cloud, rain and mountain pattern which encircles the entire piece.  It is a wonderful use of "negative space" carving, as the carved area extends up to the rim and down to the base.  The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is certainly a wonderful example of her creativity as an artist!  The  photo at the end of the images above is a picture of Helen and her husband Kenneth Shupla.

7"w x 5"h                 

$850.00

   Helen Shupla (1928-1985) - Santa Clara  

Helen Shupla is one of the few potters whose name has become synonymous with a particular style of pottery; the melon bowl.  The ribs on these pieces are pushed out from the inside when the clay is wet.  That is why there is often a slight turn to the ribs, as they are turned when she would twist her hand against the inside of the clay.  As they are based on a natural form the tend to have a very organic appearance.  This is of her classic black melon bowls.  It has 17 ribs and it is beautifully polished and fired to a dark black with a very satin appearance.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Helen's melon jars are visually beautiful, wonderful to hold and a testament to the ingenuity of an artist!  Her work can be found in museums such as the Heard Museum and the Denver Art Museum.  She was also featured on the front cover of "Talking with the Clay".  The  photo at the end of the images above is a picture of Helen and her husband Kenneth Shupla.

6.5"w x 5"h           

$2200.00 - SOLD

Clara Chavarria Shije (1924-2012) - Santa Clara   NEW

Clara Shije was a daughter of potter Pablita Chavarria and the sister of noted potters Reycita Naranjo and Elizabeth Naranjo.  Clara did not make a lot of pottery but continued a family tradition of beautifully carved and polished vessels.  This open bowl has a water serpent around the shoulder and the entire piece, even on the inside, is fully polished!  It is a striking piece created in a very classic style.  It was made in 1978 and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is not often that we see Clara's pottery but this is certainly an outstanding piece of her pottery!

6.25"w x 3.75"h                          

$200.00

   Mary Singer (b. 1936) - Santa Clara   

Mary Singer is a daughter of potter Pablita Chavarria and the sister of noted potters Reycita Naranjo, Clara Shije and Elizabeth Naranjo.  Mary is well known for her large sized pottery and very complicated carved designs. This jar is carved with a water serpent (avanyu) as the central design encircling the piece. It is deeply carved into the clay and the body of the avanyu is very intricate in its design.  The polishing is even and it is fired a dark black which is typical of her work.  Mary has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market.

5"w x 4.25"h                           

$400.00

Ramona Sisneros was known for her deeply carved pottery. The designs, such as the avanyu on this bowl, were very creative in their style.  On this bowl, the avanyu touches the rim and seems to flow out of the bottom line of the design.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 

5.25"w x 3"h

$125.00

Agapita Tafoya (1904-1959) - Santa Clara  

Agapita was the wife of noted  potter Camilio Tafoya and the mother of Grace Medicine Flower and Joseph Lonewolf.  Agapita created most of her pottery from the 1930's to the early 1950's.  She worked in all styles including polychrome, black-on-black and carved pottery.  It is typically her later carved pottery for which she achieved the most recognition.  However, her early polychrome work is spectacular. This wedding vase is from the late 1930's. This was a period when many of the Santa Clara potters were making polychrome pottery.  As well, the color of the red slip used for the was no longer used after the early 1940's. The design on this piece is fascinating, as up close it looks like a classic cloud and plant design.  However, enlarge the picture and step back and note how the central pink colored area makes the head of a bird!  As well, the painting on the piece is very tight and a beautiful use of colors.  This is a true polychrome vessel with the use of more than three colors of clay slips (white, peach, ochre, blue).  The piece is singed on the bottom on the clay, "Agapita Tafoya".  The wedding vase is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks,  restoration or repair.   It is not often that we come across her work, and she did such a small amount of pottery over the years, that it is always intriguing to see the variety of her styles, forms and imagery.

6"w x 6.25"h

$700.00

Betty Tafoya was the wife of Lee Tafoya, a son of noted potter Margaret Tafoya. Their children include Linda Tafoya, who is also a well-known potter.   Lee taught Betty how to make pottery and they often collaborated on pottery throughout his career.  These two bowls are signed by Betty alone.  The bowl on the left has deeply carved avanyu as the design.  The shape is a classic bowl form and it is beautifully polished.  Betty was well known for the polishing on her pottery.  The bowl on the right has a lightning and cloud pattern which encircles the piece in a central band.  Note the attention to detail on both pieces as the inside of the lip is also fully polished. Both pieces are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Betty's pottery can be found in numerous books, including "Born of Fire".

Left:        Bowl with Avanyu                    7"w x 5.25"h                $900.00

Right:     Bowl with Cloud Designs       7"w x 5.5"h                  $800.00

Camilio Tafoya is the father of Grace Medicine Flower and Joseph Lonewolf and the brother of Margaret Tafoya and Christina Naranjo.  He began making carved pottery and then in the 1970's started to create his own beautiful miniatures with incised designs.  On the left is one of the classic early pieces by Camilio Tafoya from 1972.  Camilio, Grace and Joseph created their own "Black & Red" style of pottery, where part of the piece was covered before it was turned black so that an area (here the avanyu) would be red in contrast to the black of the rest of the piece!  This piece is highly polished and has a red avanyu while the remainder of the piece is a dark black.  The seedpot in the center is from 1974 and has two shields incised into the clay as the design.  The shape is a classic one for Camilio with the low shoulder and rounded top. The seedpot on the right has two openings on the top and two medallions.  One has a leaping frog and the other one a sitting frog. This piece is from 1974.  It is fully polished and the incised imagery is well designed and unique for his pottery.  All three pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  They are wonderful examples of how his work changed throughout his early pottery career.

Left:               Black & Red Bowl w/ Avanyu                3.5"w x 2.5"h           $1000.00 - SOLD

Center           Seedpot with two Shields                        2.25"w x 1.25"h       $400.00 

Right:            Seedpot with Frog Medallions                4"w x 2"h                $900.00

Camilio Tafoya was a brother of Margaret Tafoya and Christina Naranjo, and also the father of Grace Medicine Flower and Joseph Lonewolf.  Camilio made larger, carved vessels in the 1950's, and in the 1970's, was among the first to begin etching their designs into the clay, using the "sgraffito" process.  Here are two seedpots from the mid to late 1980's.  The seedpot on the left has a series of hummingbirds incised into the clay. They are flying around some flowers and the final images is from the top.  The second seedpot is larger and has a raccoon as the central figure, surrounded by a rabbit and magpie.  This piece is from the late 1980's and has less polished surface and more matte area.  The additional colors on both pieces are derived from natural clay slips.  Both pieces are in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. Camilio's pottery is certainly an important part of the history of Santa Clara pottery and a beautiful addition to a collection.

Left:        Seedpot with Hummingbirds   1.5"w x 1.75"h         $900.00

Right:     Seedpot w/ Raccoon & Rabbit   1.5"w x 1.75"h        $900.00

Cresencia Tafoya (1918-1999) - Santa Clara       NEW

Cresencia Tafoya was the matriarch of a family of potters including Harriet Tafoya, Annie Baca and Pauline Martinez.  She was also a granddaughter of Pasquelita Tafoya, a daughter of Tomacita Tafoya and a niece of Celestina Naranjo.  Cresencia created a style of highly polished and tightly painted pottery which has been continued by her children.  This wedding vase is a beautiful piece of her pottery and is actually on the larger side for her work. Typically she made smaller pieces of pottery. The vase is highly polished surface and a rain cloud and mountain design on each side.  The handle is twisted and it is also polished.  It is the contrast of the matte against the highly polished surface which makes the imagery so distinctive.  This piece is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Cresencia won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and other art events. 

4.75"w x 6"h

$225.00

Lee Tafoya (1926-1996) - Santa Clara      

Lee Tafoya was the only son of noted potter Margaret Tafoya to take up making pottery.  After serving in WWII, he returned to Santa Clara and began making pottery with his wife, Betty.  Their daughter, Linda Tafoya, is also a well-known potter.  This jar is a classic piece by Lee with a very square shape to the head of the avanyu.  The bowl is fully carved and highly polished.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Lee Tafoya" and it is from 1988. The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Lee's pottery can be found in museums throughout the Southwest and also in numerous books, including "Born of Fire".

 4.25"w x 4.75"h               

$900.00 - SOLD

Linda Tafoya - Santa Clara   

Linda Tafoya has created a very distinctive style of carved pottery.  She learned to make pottery from her parents, Lee and Betty Tafoya and she is a granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya.  Here are three smaller pieces of her pottery. On the left is a bowl which is fully carved and has cloud patterns.  There is a micaceous clay slip around the mouth of the bowl.  The bowl on the right is fully polished and has a single band of carved designs.  The carving enters the central band from the negative space area and there are a variety of wind, rain and lightning designs.  Linda has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and was also on the front cover of New Mexico Magazine in August, 2006

Left:                     Bowl with Cloud Patterns            2.5"w x 2.25"h                $525.00

Right:                  Bowl Classic Geometrics               4.25"w x 3.5"h               $550.00

   Linda Tafoya-Sanchez - Santa Clara   NEW

This is a classic water jar by Linda Tafoya-Sanchez.  The shape is elegant with a round shoulder and an elongated neck.  She has achieved a good balance of proportion with the length of the neck. Around the shoulder she has carved three bands. The band in the center is a water serpent (avanyu) and there is a cloud band above and a water band below. The two surrounding bands are both slipped with a red micaceous clay slip.  The remainder of the jar is all fully polished red.  Note the complexity of the design for the body of the avanyu as the jar is turned and also the depth of the carving!  The coloration of the jar from the traditional firing is a deep, rich red.  The precision of the carving and the shine of the stone polished surface are continuing examples of why she is among the leading potters working today.  Linda learned to make pottery from her parents, Lee and Betty Tafoya and she is a granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya.  She has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and was also on the front cover of New Mexico Magazine in August, 2006 and a featured artist in the 2011 Santa Fe Indian Market Magazine. 

6"w x 6.75"h      

$1800.00

LuAnn Tafoya - Santa Clara    

Modern yet Traditional.  This bowl by LuAnn Tafoya has a very classic shape and traditional designs.  The imagery on the bowl is a lightning, rain and wind pattern carved in a central band. However, LuAnn has modified how the designs are put together giving the bowl a very modern appearance with the very angular designs.  The entire piece is fully polished and it has the glassy appearance of most of her work.  She said she wanted to try something different on this piece and near the base she carved a single band into the clay.  It is particularly noticeable when viewing the piece, but it can immediately be felt when handling the bowl. It is the connection that pottery is a tactile art form and that sometimes a piece must be held to connect the viewer to the intention of the artist.   LuAnn learned to make pottery from her mother, Margaret Tafoya.  She is renown for her large vessels and variations on classic imagery and forms.  Her son, Daryl Whitegeese has learned from his mother and continues in the family tradition.  LuAnn has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Pottery" and "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market.  Her work can be found in the permanent collection of numerous museums around the country.  She has been written about in numerous books  including, "Born of Fire: The Art and Life of Margaret Tafoya".

7.25"w x 5.75"h

$2300.00

LuAnn Tafoya - Santa Clara    NEW

LuAnn learned to make pottery from her mother, Margaret Tafoya.  She is renown for her large vessels and variations on classic imagery and forms. This long neck jar is fully carved around the shoulder with a complex and varying pattern. The imagery consists of mountain, rain, cloud and wind designs.  The carving is deep and typical of LuAnn's classic style. T he entire piece is fully polished with a beautiful shine.  While LuAnn is known for her large vessels, it is not often that we get her smaller pieces.  Yet even at this size, the carving is complex and complemented by her amazing polish!  LuAnn has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Pottery" and "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market.  Her work can be found in the permanent collection of numerous museums around the country.  She has been written about in numerous books  including, "Born of Fire: The Art and Life of Margaret Tafoya".

5.25"w x 8"h

$2000.00

LuAnn Tafoya - Santa Clara    

This wide shoulder bow is a distinctive shape for LuAnn Tafoya.  It is actually a difficult form to create using Santa Clara clay as it is not as elastic as clays from other areas.  The bowl is fully polished and it is fully carved around the shoulder.  The design is a striking rain and wind pattern which varies around the bowl.  The rim is beautifully carved with rounded sections representing the mountain ranges around the Pueblo.  LuAnn is renowned for her highly polished surfaces, which seem to shine like glass.  This bowl is no exception to her skill at polishing.   LuAnn learned to make pottery from her mother, Margaret Tafoya.  She is renown for her large vessels and variations on classic imagery and forms.  Her son, Daryl Whitegeese has learned from his mother and continues in the family tradition.   LuAnn has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Pottery" and "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market.  Her work can be found in the permanent collection of numerous museums around the country. 

12.75"w x 6"h

$5000.00

   Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara  NEW

Margaret Tafoya was one of the great matriarchs of Pueblo pottery.  She was known for her large carved and plainware stone polished vessels.  This jar is a piece of her pottery from the 1970's and it very tightly carved with a lightning pattern and in the center is a single line which represents the rain.  The jar is an elegant shape with a low shoulder and a slight turn out to the rim from the neck.  Note in the photos how perfectly the light reflects to accentuate the shape of the jar!  This piece is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair and it is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Margaret Tafoya".  Margaret was an award-winning potter who won "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market two years in a row for two large storage jars (one red and one black).  She was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, and a National Heritage Fellowship.  Among her 12 children, 8 became potters, following in a traditional style of coil built, stone polished and native fired pottery.  She has left an important legacy to the Pueblo and her work can be found in numerous museums around the world and she has been featured in numerous books, including "Born of Fire" and "The Art of Clay". 

6"w x 8"h

$6200.00

   Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara  NEW

The pottery of Margaret Tafoya is renown for the carving, polish and scale of her pieces.  This bowl is from the 1980's and has a complex pattern of rain and cloud designs which encircle the bowl.  The carving is fluid and creates a sense of motion as the bowl is turned.  The polishing is excellent with a high shine!  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Margaret Tafoya".  Margaret was an award-winning potter who won "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market two years in a row for two large storage jars (one red and one black).  She was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, and a National Heritage Fellowship.  Among her 12 children, 8 became potters, following in a traditional style of coil built, stone polished and native fired pottery.  She has left an important legacy to the Pueblo and her work can be found in numerous museums around the world and she has been featured in numerous books, including "Born of Fire" and "The Art of Clay". 

6.25"w x 5.75"h

$5500.00

Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara          NEW

This jar is one is a classic shape for Margaret's pottery in the 1960's. The jar has a very round shoulder and a slight neck.  The entire piece is highly polished and the entire shoulder of the piece is carved.  The imagery on the jar is cloud, rain, lightning and water pattern which is an evolves as the piece is turned.  The carving is deep and even throughout the piece.  The jar is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few light surface scratches but not unexpected in a piece this age and size.  This jar is definitely a classic!   It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Margaret Tafoya".  Margaret's work can be found in numerous museums around the world and she has been featured in numerous books, including "Born of Fire" and "The Art of Clay".  Margaret's legacy as a potter and matriarch makes her work some of the most important Pueblo pottery of the 20th century. Photo courtesy of Lynne Spivey.

10"w x 8.75"h

$8500.00

Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara 

Margaret Tafoya created classic Santa Clara pottery for nearly a century.  She kept alive this important cultural as it transitioned from folk art to fine art.  This tall jar is from the 1970's and it is fully polished. The jar has  wonderful shape with round shoulders and a slightly turned out lip.  The design is a lightning and rain pattern which varies as the jar is turned.  The complexity of the design is an evolution in her style at this time.  There is less repetition on in the patterns and more of a visual flow as the piece is turned. The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Margaret Tafoya".  Margaret was an award-winning potter who won "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market two years in a row for two large storage jars (one red and one black).  She was also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, and a National Heritage Fellowship.  Among her 12 children, 8 became potters, following in a traditional style of coil built, stone polished and native fired pottery.  She has left an important legacy to the Pueblo and her work can be found in numerous museums around the world and she has been featured in numerous books, including "Born of Fire" and "The Art of Clay". 

9.5"w x 11"h

$12,000.00

  Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara          

This storage jar is one of the iconic shapes created and associated with Margaret Tafoya.  It is not often that we come across pieces with this form and with such a stunning polish.  While it is not as large as her very biggest storage jars it is certainly still a significant piece!  The shape is a classic with the tall gently sloping side that come up a subtle sharp shoulder where the clay dips down and then proceeds up to the neck.  The entire piece is fully polished and there are four bear paws which have been carved into the clay and the polished over.  The jar is from the 1970's and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is not often that we get in works by Margaret of such a significant  style and size, but they are truly striking to see and hold!  Margaret's work can be found in numerous museums around the world and she has been featured in numerous books, including "Born of Fire" and "The Art of Clay".  Margaret's legacy as a potter and matriarch makes her work some of the most important Pueblo pottery of the 20th century. Photo courtesy of Lynne Spivey.

12"w x 13.5"h

$30,000.00 - SOLD

"Born of Fire:  The Life and Pottery of Margaret Tafoya"   by Charles S. King

"King has made himself a scholar in pursuit of an understanding of how traditional ways of life, changing times and one woman's vision are so tightly bound. . . . Born of Fire is a handsome introduction to and reminder of the exquisite pottery of Margaret Tafoya."

-The Bloomsbury Review - 2008

Regarded as one of the great masters of Pueblo ceramics, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001) is known for her trademark large black polished ceramics, decorated with traditional imagery of rain clouds, water serpents, bear paws, and other symbols. An award-winning artist, she was recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, and a National Heritage Fellowship. This book is the first complete biography of Margaret Tafoya's life.  It is divided into decades, giving the reader a deeper understanding of her life and pottery covering nearly 100 years.  It is also the first book to help identify and date her pottery thorough the use of her signatures.  There are additional biographies on Virginia Ebelacker, Richard Ebelacker, Lee Tafoya, Linda Tafoya, Jennie Trammel, Mela Youngblood, Nathan Youngblood, Nancy Youngblood, Toni Roller, Jeff Roller, LuAnn Tafoya, Daryl Whitegeese, Mary Ester Archuleta and Shirley Tafoya.  The photography of the pottery in this book is exceptional.  Personal narratives by family members and family photographs throughout the book create a wonderful sense of her humanity and artistic accomplishments.  Above to the right are images from the" Born of Fire" exhibition at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, PA and the Ceramics Research Center, Tempe, AZ. 

Hardcover, 160 pages

$45.00 

     Ray Tafoya (1956-1994) - Santa Clara  

Ray Tafoya was an innovator in incised pottery with his use of Mimbres designs and larger plain surfaces with highlighted designs. He was a brother of Paul Speckled Rock and Kenneth Tafoya.  He was a grandson of Severa Tafoya, the husband of Emily Tafoya and the father of Jennifer Moquino.   He was known for his incised miniature pottery with designs highlighted by additional clay slips.  Here are three pieces which reflect the variety of his work throughout his career.  On the left is a  seedpot from 1986 which has been polished a very deep red and has a Mimbres style buffalo as the design.  It is fully designed and there are additional clay slips used throughout to accentuate the imagery.  The tall seedpot in the center has a flute player as the design.  He is surrounded by various geometric imagery.  It  was made in 1988.   The seedpot on the right is from 1986 and it has a bear as the central animal image. There are additional prayer feather and medicine designs on the surrounding sides.   All three are in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Over the course of his career, Ray won numerous awards for his pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and other events.  It is a wonderfully detailed and complicated piece of his pottery! 

Left:            Red Seedpot with Buffalo                                  1.5"w x 1.25"h                    $400.00

Center:       Black Seedpot with Flute Player                        1.25"w x 1.75"h                 $500.00 - SOLD

Right:         Black Seedpot with Bear                                     1.5" long x 1"w x 1.25"h   $500.00

Severa Tafoya (1890-1973) - Santa Clara  

Severa Tafoya was the matriarch of a family of renown potters.  Her brother was Van Gutierrez and her children included Angela Baca, Tonita Tafoya and Lydia Tafoya.   Other direct descendants include Paul Speckled Rock, Ray Tafoya, Tina Garcia, Greg Garcia, Robert Cleto Nichols, Jennifer Moquino and Jason Garcia.  She was known for her polychrome and carved pottery along with her more traditional shapes and designs.  This small storage jar shaped jar is fully polished and has four impressed bear paws around the sides.  Note the style of her bear paws with the elongated claws.  This was her "signature" style which is different from the bear paws of other potters and so something that is a visual cue to her pottery.  The piece is singed on the bottom on the clay, "Severa".  The jar is in very good condition with no chips, cracks,  restoration or repair.  Severa won numerous awards for her pottery and it is nice to see her working gaining in recognition as her descendants continue to become the new generation of innovators at Santa Clara.

8.5"w x 7.5"h                 

$1500.00 - SOLD

Belen Tapia (1914 - 1999) - Santa Clara  

Belen Tapia was a nice of Sara Fina Tafoya and a sister of Ramoncita Sisneros and the mother of Anita Suazo, Frank Tapia and Anna Archuleta.  She began making pottery in the 1930's during the early years of Santa Clara polychrome pottery.  However, by the 1950's she was making primarily carved pottery with unique designs and forms.  By the 1980's she was again making polychrome pottery, bringing her artistry full circle.  This bowl is from the 1980's and it is a highly polished red and then painted with various clay slips.  The colors; peach, blue, ochre and white are all natural clay slips.  The design on this square shaped bowl is a plant and rain cloud pattern.  It is a beautiful complement of color, design and form.  Belen has been featured in numerous books and featured in "Santa Clara Pottery Today.  She also won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market.  There are virtually no potters today who continue with the traditional polychrome style making her work one that captures a wonderful moment in Pueblo history.

6"w x 3.25"h                    

$600.00

Shirley "Cactus Blossom" Tafoya (1947-2010) - Santa Clara  

Shirley Tafoya began making pottery full-time in 1971-2.  She decided to concentrate on making miniature versions of the large vessels her mother, Margaret Tafoya, was know to make. Shirley would work to make them as small, thin walled and elegant in form as possible.  This cylinder shaped vessel is a striking piece of her pottery, and one of her larger sized vessels!  The piece has a water serpent (avanyu) carved into the clay and encircling the piece. The rim is carved with two kiva step designs.  The entire piece is fully polished with her typical high shine.  Throughout the years, Shirley won "Best of Miniature Pottery" at Santa Fe Indian Market numerous times.  She was involved in the Pueblo religious and Kiva activities, so she did not make a lot of pottery over the years.  This complicated piece was made in 2001. The picture of Shirley is from one of our Gallery Shows with Shirley and LuAnn in 2001.

2.75"w x 4.25"h                     

$2000.00

Jennie Trammel (1929-2010) - Santa Clara      

Jennie Trammel was the third child of noted potter Margaret Tafoya.  She learned to make pottery from her mother and also from her grandmother, Sara Fina Tafoya.  Over the years she did not make a lot of pottery as she lived a very private life and was virtually never involved in markets or gallery shows.  However, she created stunning pottery with classic shapes and designs which were distinctive to her work.  Each piece was coil built and it was the carving, with the rounded edges, which was a visual key to her work. This wedding vas is fully polished and carved with a cloud design that varies as the piece is turned.  The spouts are squared off at the edge, much in the style of her mother.  The surface is highly polished and it is nearly impossible to see the marks of the polishing stone.  The wedding vase is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.   Jennie's work can be found in books such as "Born of Fire" and also in museums around the country.  As she made such a small amount during her career it is always difficult to find her work.

4.25"w x 7"h           

$1600.00

Minnie Vigil (b. 1931) - Santa Clara   NEW

Minnie Vigil is a daughter of Petra Gutierrez and a sister to noted potters Gloria Garcia (GoldenRod), Thelma Talachy and Lois Gutierrez.  She is known for her polychrome pottery and the use of numerous clay slips to create the colors.   The bowl on the left is polished below the shoulder and painted with a wind pattern.  Above the shoulder it is matte and has a feather pattern.  Note the various colored clay slips used for the tips of the feathers!  The jar on the center left is a beautiful shape with a slightly turned out rim. The high polish is a perfect contrast for the black and blue-grey colored slip used to create the rain cloud design.  The bowl on the center right has a matte clay slip above the shoulder and it is painted with a feather pattern. Below the shoulder it is polished red and painted with a cloud design. The jar on the right is a larger piece with a beautiful polish and it is painted around the shoulder with a mountain and rain motif. Note the complexity of the painted designs and how much design work is on the entire piece!  Minnie creates pieces with a wonderful balance of form and tightly painted design. Santa Fe Indian Market and has won numerous awards at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market but today makes few pieces of pottery.

Left:                   Polychrome Bowl with  Feather Pattern           3"w x 2.5"h           $150.00

Left Center:      Red Jar with Rain Cloud Patterns                     3.25"w x 3"h         $200.00

Right Center:   Bowl with Feather Pattern                                   3.25"w x 3"h        $200.00

Right:                 Jar with Mountain/Rain Design                         6.5"w x 5"h          $600.00

     Daryl Whitegeese - Santa Clara   NEW

Daryl Whitegeese creates traditional pottery where each vessel is coil built, stone polished and native fired.  He has built his reputation on reviving historic shapes and designs in his pottery along with a distinctive style of carving and highly polished surfaces.  This large jar is fully polished red.  Around the shoulder it is carved with an old style avanuyu.  He was inspired by an old jar by his grandmother Margaret Tafoya (the jar is above far right) where she had carved the avanyu with the tail over the head.  Typically this image is carved with the head over the tail.  Daryl created his own version of this unique water serpent but carved the design into the clay.  As well, after the jar was fired he sanded out the background area so that it is matte tan in coloration which is a striking complement to the highly polished red surface. There is also a small incised bear paw on the neck of the avanyu, which is his own touch to the design.  This jar is exceptional with a stunning balance of shape and polish complemented with the traditional imagery of the bear paw.  Daryl is the son of noted potter LuAnn Tafoya, and the grandson of Margaret Tafoya.  He began making pottery about nine years ago and has committed himself to creating classic Santa Clara style pottery.  He has won numerous awards for his pottery over the past several years at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market. He has also won the "Utilitarian Pottery" special award at Santa Fe Indian Market. He is certainly a potter to watch!

8.5"w x 11.25"h

$4200.00

Daryl Whitegeese - Santa Clara  

Daryl Whitegeese has become one of the most important, young traditional potters working today.  Each vessel is coil built, stone polished and native fired.  On the left is a classic water jar which has a double shoulder and a slightly flaring neck. The jar is fully polished and has a single bear paw as the design on the neck. It is a beautiful coloration and a striking example a classic form and design. On the right is a classic double shoulder water jar with a low shoulder and a slightly flaring rim.  It is always technically more difficult to create the double shoulder vessels and always more difficult to stone polish.  What makes a fully polished piece like this among the most difficult to create is not the form, but the polishing.  It must be stone polished all at one time to create a high shine and usually there are three or four layers of slip applied.  If the potter is not polishing fast enough, the surface will dry and it will have to be sanded down to start over again!  The polish on this jar is breathtaking, as it simply seems to glow with the light hitting it at all the various angles.  This water jar has one simple design, which is a larger bear paw on one side.  The other side is plain.  The bear paws symbolize the story of the bear leading the people of the Pueblo to water during a drought.  This jar is exceptional with a stunning balance of shape and polish complemented with the traditional imagery of the bear paw.  Daryl is the son of noted potter LuAnn Tafoya, and the grandson of Margaret Tafoya.  He began making pottery about nine years ago and has committed himself to creating classic Santa Clara style pottery.  He has won numerous awards for his pottery over the past several years at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Indian Market. He has also won the "Utilitarian Pottery" special award at Santa Fe Indian Market. He is certainly a potter to watch!

Left:        Red Water Jar with Bear Paw                     6.5"w x 9.25"h                 $1800.00

Right:     Black Water Jar with Bear Paw                  8.5"w x 10"h                    $4500.00     

Nancy Youngblood - Santa Clara  

Nancy Youngblood is among the most innovative and renown potters working today.  Her pottery skills have been legendary for over 30 years!  Each piece is deeply carved, highly stone polished and native fired.  These two stunning pieces are from 1986 and each is a perfect example of the delicate and intricate style of her pottery.  On the left is a jar which is deeply carved with 32 feathers around the neck and a water serpent (avanyu) encircling the shoulder.  Note the depth of the carving and the even precision of the feathers around the neck!  The jar won a second place ribbon in miniatures at the 1986 Santa Fe Indian Market and a wonderful part of the provenance is that one of the judges who signed the ribbon was Dextra Quotskuyva!  The bowl on the right is a perfect form with a very deeply carved avanyu as the design.  Note that as the bowl is turned that the design varies and have an incredibly ornate pattern to the body. The lid is square, which is difficult to create and fully polished!  Both pieces are in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.   Nancy Youngblood is a daughter of Mela Youngblood and a granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya.  Nancy has won "Best of Pottery" and "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market and been featured in numerous books on Pueblo pottery including "The Art of Clay", "Crafted to Perfection", "Born of Fire" and others. 

Left:        Carved Jar w/ Feathers & Avanyu        2.25"w x 3"h                $3300.00 - SOLD

Right:      Lidded bowl with Carved Avanyu     2.5"w x 3"h (w/lid)     $3000.00 - SOLD

Nancy Youngblood - Santa Clara  

This bowl is a striking piece by Nancy Youngblood, famous for her "melon bowls", where each rib is carved into the clay and then fully polished.  This bowl is a unique variety of designs, inspired by the melon rib swirls. The bowl has two large cloud medallions, with the ribs carved in in circles and interconnecting to create a larger circle.  Separating the two larger medallions are two tan polished shells. The edges of the shells are rounded out and again are reminiscent of the ribs on a melon bowl.  It is interesting that she often uses shells in her pottery as a design element.  In the Pueblos, shells are traditionally used as jewelry and adornment during the traditional dances.  Below each of the shells is another medallion again fully carved with a flowing pattern.  A closer version of the medallion can be see in the last photo above. It is not often that Nancy does work in red and tan and note the coloration of the background area, which has a textural appearance of leather!  Nancy also managed to have her son take a photo of the bowl when it was near the end of the firing, which can be seen above as well!  In addition to the carving, the piece has been stone polished to a beautiful shine, which complements the red and tan surfaces and contrasts to the matte areas.   Nancy Youngblood is a daughter of Mela Youngblood and a granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya.  When she first began making pottery, she started with miniatures, focusing on creating very intricate form and tightly carved designs.  Nancy has won "Best of Pottery" and "Best of Show" at Santa Fe Indian Market and been featured in numerous books on Pueblo pottery including "The Art of Clay", "Crafted to Perfection", "Born of Fire" and others.

5"w x 5.5"h

$9500.00

  Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara  

Nathan Youngblood began making pottery in the early 1970's under the guidance of his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya.  His initial focus was making larger, classic shaped vessels. It has only been in the past several years that he has made a variety of smaller pieces.  The shapes of his pottery often reflect the classic forms created by Margaret for nearly a century.  On the left is a black water jar which a traditional shape at Santa Clara.  The creation of a double shoulder is always technically more difficult than just a single rounded shoulder for the water jar.  On this piece Nathan has impressed two bear paws into the neck of the jar.  The bear paws are symbolic of a bear that led the Pueblo people to water during a drought.  There is only one band of carving around the shoulder of the jar and there is a double water serpent as the design.  Again, a classic Santa Clara image, adding to the historic and cultural importance of this piece.  It is perfectly polished and as with much of Nathan's blackware pottery, it has a 'water-like" appearance to the surface.  Simple and elegant!  On the right is a classic tri-color box with a carved avanyu around the center of the piece.  Margaret would often make these lidded boxes but they would usually be square in form.  Nathan said that he wanted to modernize the shape and made it circular.  The avanyu is polished a deep red, as is the cloud design on the top of the lid.  Note as well on the lid the small incised deer track, which is representative of Nathan's Tewa name which means "Deer Path".  The box combines a contemporary round form with classic Pueblo iconography and very complicated carved designs.  Nathan has been written about in books including The Art of Clay, Beyond Traditions and 14 Families in Pueblo Pottery.   His work is in the White House Collection of American Crafts (click on Nathan's name at the bottom of the list to see the jar), the only Native American Indian artist to be represented in the collection. 

Left:             Black Double Shoulder Water Jar with Bear Paws    6.25"w x 7"h            $6300.00

Right:          Tri-Color Round Box with Avanyu & Cloud Lid      4.25"w x 3"h             $4200.00                   

   Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara  

Nathan Youngblood began making pottery in the early 1970's and his initial focus was making larger, classic shaped vessels. It has only been in the past several years that he has made a variety of smaller pieces.  Having created jewelry designs, the tightness of those patterns has translated well to his smaller works in clay.  This jar is a beautiful piece of his blackware pottery. The shape is a high shouldered jar with a slightly turned out rim. The entire piece is fully polished except for a single matte band below the design.  The imagery is a pair of water serpents (avanyu), which encircle the jar.  Note the complexity of the bodies and the amount of design he has created!  The rim of the jar is delicate and polished even inside the rim.  Nathan stone polishes his pottery and creates a visually stunning even shine to the surface.  The way the light reflects off the angles of the jar and the carving is perfect! Nathan learned to polish his pieces tan from his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya and he is one of the few potters who is able to consistently create such a stunning result! Nathan has been written about in books including The Art of Clay, Beyond Traditions and 14 Families in Pueblo Pottery.   His work is in the White House Collection of American Crafts (click on Nathan's name at the bottom of the list to see the jar), the only Native American Indian artist to be represented in the collection. 

3.75"w x 4.75"h            

$3800.00

   Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara  

Nathan Youngblood is one of a handful of potters at Santa Clara who is able to polish his vessel and achieve the unique tan coloration.  The tan is achieved by stone polishing the surface of the bowl with water, not a clay slip as is used to create the red or the black.  This is technically one of the most difficult accomplishments in Pueblo pottery, as the tan can appear "streaky" if it is not polished to a high enough shine and it will also absorb more of the smoke during the firing, which can alter the coloration.  Nathan learned to polish his pieces tan from his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya and he is one of the few potters who is able to consistently create such a stunning result.  This jar is amazing in coloration with almost a caramel color!  The jar has a tan polished neck and base and note how the inside of the neck is also polished.  Around the shoulder are two matte bands and a central carved area.  The jar has a cloud an rain pattern separated by a single mountain design.  Below the shoulder is a single design which represent both a male and female thunderbird.  After the jar is fired Nathan also goes back and scrapes down the sides of the carving along with the background area to create a more striking contrast of the matte and polished surfaces. Nathan has been written about in books including The Art of Clay, Beyond Traditions and 14 Families in Pueblo Pottery.  His work is in the White House Collection of American Crafts, the only Native American Indian artist to be represented in the collection. 

4"w x 6.25"h           

$5200.00

Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara  

While Nathan Youngblood creates unique forms in his pottery, he often focuses on more traditional shapes.  This bowl is called a "kiva bowl" or a "terraced bowl" and it is technically a difficult form to create.  Nathan has carved the neck of the bowl to create a terraced appearance.  The "kiva steps" are the actual angular shape of the neck.  The kivas are the underground ceremonial rooms at the Pueblo and they are represented in pottery with the carved rim and a stepped pattern in the designs.  The rim of the piece has a micaceous clay slip and note the holes in the center of the four sections.  Traditionally, that is where eagle feathers would be placed on the kiva bowl.  At the shoulder the bowl is fully polished and has a series of carved patterns.  The design complements the shape of the bowl as in the first image above.  There are kiva steps going up and then a series of cloud, rain and walking bear paw tracks.  In the third image are the kiva steps walking down as a continuation of designs.  The bowl is signed on the bottom, "Nathan Youngblood" and deer tracks, which represent his Tewa name meaning "Deer Path".  Nathan continues to polish his pottery with a stone to achieve the glassy shine for which he is famous and each piece is native fired which gives them a much richer appearance.  He has won over 140 awards during his career and continues to be one of the most refined and yet creative potters working today.  He has been written about in books including The Art of Clay, Beyond Traditions and 14 Families in Pueblo Pottery.

6.75"w x 5.75"h

$6400.00

      Sergio Youngblood - Lugo - Santa Clara  

Sergio learned to make pottery from his mother, Nancy Youngblood.  His pottery reflects a family tradition of creativity and high quality.  The small bowl on the left has a deeply carved avanyu as the design.  He has carved the body of the avanyu with his own distinctive style and note the various edges and circles that he has created in the design.  The polishing is excellent and a nice complement to the complex carved imagery.  The plate on the right is interesting as Sergio is very talented as an artist as well as a potter.  On this piece he made the plate and drew the design on the surface before he fired it.  The imagery is a water serpent which he said he tried to create with a more "modern" appearance to the design. The result is a more intricate image and a reflection of his drawing skill.  It is great to see a young artist with such talent and also creativity in his designs.  Definitely a young potter...and artist to watch!

Left:        Carved Bowl with Avanyu            3"w x 1.5"h            $900.00

Right:     Plate with Modern Avanyu           6" diameter           $300.00 - SOLD