Mary Ester Archuleta - Santa Clara/San Juan     

Mary Ester Archuleta is a daughter of Margaret Tafoya and a sister of renown potters Shirley Tafoya, Mela Youngblood, LuAnn Tafoya and Toni Roller.  While growing up at Santa Clara, she married and moved to San Juan Pueblo in the 1960's.  She was pivotal in the revival of San Juan incised pottery in the early 1970's and is one of the few potters who is able to stone polish the tan coloration on her pottery with such a high shine.  Mary has never been a prolific potter and rarely made large vessels. This jar is created in the classic style San Juan shape with a polished rim and base.  The area around the center of the bowl is fully incised with a feather pattern.  This matte area is slipped with a micaceous clay to again contrast and sparkle against the polished surfaces.  Take a closer look at the symmetry of her pottery along with the precision of her incising!  The coloration of the red is a very deep coloration.  Mary has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and has been written about in numerous books including, "Born of Fire".

6"w x 5.5"h               

$1500.00

Angela Baca (b. 1927) - Santa Clara      NEW

Angela Baca is a daughter of Severa Tafoya, and the mother of noted potters Alvin, David and Leona Baca.  She began making pottery in the 1950's and while she has created a wide variety of styles, her name is certainly synonymous with her classic style melon bowls.  This black melon bowl is her classic style with 24 carved ribs, each polished and separated by an area of matte clay.  The bowl is from the mid 1990's and has a simple but elegant round shape and the linear style.  Angela has won numerous awards for her pottery over the years and her pieces can be found in museums nationwide.

5"w x 3.5"h

$350.00

Left:        Plate with Turtles, Quail and Dragonflies                  3.5" diameter            $500.00
Right:     Seedpot with Quail, Turtles and Hunters                   2"w x 4"h                   $650.00

6.5"w x 3.5"h

$1200.00  - SOLD

Sarena Ebelacker (b. 1985) - Santa Clara  

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 jar is polished at the top and  bottom with a carved band around the shoulder. The design is what she calls, "lightning lace", as it is a lightning pattern in a more circular formation.  Note the depth of her carving the use of the micaceous clay on the carved area.   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!

6"w x 4"h

$400.00

Jody Folwell - Santa Clara   NEW

Jody Folwell has long been an innovator in Pueblo pottery, since her evolutionary work of the 1970's when she began firing her pottery with brown colorations 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.  Here are four distinctive pieces of her pottery.  On the left is a beautiful bowl which is fully polished and fired a dark brownish-red.  The design is delicately incised into the surface of the clay.  The precision and detail in this piece are striking!  The design is a series of butterflies, or moths, which are inspired by the classic imagery seen on Hopi pottery.  However, it is also possible to see her own addition to the design, as there are the little Folwell "x's" near each of the butterflies!   On the left center is a simple, perfectly round fully polished bowl.  The classic shape is highlighted by the firing with a darker red coloration and a black rim.  In the center right is a small bowl which is fully polished.  The design includes a crossword puzzle with various words inserted, including Jody's name!   On the right is a bowl with a stunning shape, a narrow base and an asymmetrical rim.  The entire piece is fully stone polished to a high shine.  It has been traditionally fired and the black area are from the reduction process of cow manure touching the surface after the firing.  It is a simple but elegant bowl.  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:                          Wide Fully Polished Jar with Butterflies            8"w x 4"h                        $1500.00

Left Center:             Plain fully polished bowl with black rim          4.5"w x 3.5"h                  $600.00

Right Center:          Small Bowl w/ Crossword Designs                     2.25"w x 2"h                   $400.00

Right:                       Plainware Bowl with Black Fired Rim                7.5"w x 5.5"h                  $1200.00

      Polly Rose Folwell - Santa Clara  

Polly is a daughter of Jody Folwell and a sister of Susan Folwell. Here are two of her smaller pieces of pottery. Both are fully polished, fully designed and traditionally fired.  The jar on the left has kiva step shape for the lip and there are additional kiva step designs around the remainder of the piece. The bowl on the right has an asymmetrical rim and a very high polish.  The jar has a stylized feather pattern incised into the clay encircling the entire piece.  The coloration on both pieces is from the firing and it is simply stunning, with a variance of color from black to brown.  Polly has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Pottery" at the Heard Museum Market.

Left:        Jar with Kiva Step Design                3.25"w x 4.75"h     $600.00

Right:     Bowl with Feather Pattern                4"w x 4"h               $500.00

     Polly Rose Folwell - Santa Clara  

Polly is a daughter of Jody Folwell and a sister of Susan Folwell. While Polly is well known for her incised patterns, she also creates stunning classic forms.  Here are two pieces from different stages of her career.  This tall jar is a new pieces and has a cylindrical form with a double shoulder and the entire piece is fully polished.  There is a painted feather pattern painted around the shoulder of  the piece.  The entire jar has been native fired black and the matte area is in perfect complement to the highly polished surface.  Polly has won numerous awards for her pottery, including "Best of Pottery" at the Heard Museum Market.

5.5"w x 10.5"h           

$800.00

Susan Folwell continues to be one of the leading innovators among today's Pueblo potters.  Over the past year she has been working on her creative version of the Pueblo "Pin-up" girls and "Femme Fatales".  This is a combination of the 1940's "Pin-up Girls" with adding a glamorous appearance the modern Pueblo woman.  She has been using canteens for these pieces, which holds a two-fold purpose.  The shape of the canteen provides a perfect surface for her to create her painted imagery.  As well, the canteens have a connection to the Pueblo women, who would historically go each day to the river to get water and then it would often be stored in canteens.  Here are two of these dynamic pieces.  On the left is a canteen entitled, "Pueblo Girls on Parade".  Here the girl is incised into the clay is a provocative pose. She is surrounded by incised stars and there are a band of feathers around the side of the canteen.  It is the little details which always make Susan's work so wonderful, such as the "beauty mark" on the face of the girl.  The back of the canteen has incised stars and an old rusted piece of metal from the US Tobacco Co.  The stopper for the canteen is a corn cob.  The canteen on the right is an old style shape which Susan has modified for her designs.  The piece is entitled, "San Juan Girls Rule" and she has depicted a girl on each side, incised into the clay, with fashion model type looks.  She is surrounded by painted cameras and the photos on each side are almost like snapshots or Polaroid of a girl at a fashion shoot. Note the traditional maiden hairstyle on the girls!  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:         "Pueblo Girls on Parade" Canteen                    7"w x 7.75"h x 3.5"h                    $1600.00

Right:      "San Juan Girls Rule" Canteen                          5"w x 7"h                                      $1200.00             

   Susan Folwell - Santa Clara    

This seedpot is a was inspired by the "gold" Sacajawea dollar coins and she entitled it, "Short Change".  One side of the piece has the coin has the date of 1788 while the other side has the current date of 2012.  Susan has added a variety of "wooden nickels" surrounding the two dollars.  They are incised into the clay and then painted with underglazes and acrylics.  The two coins are joined together at the top by a mosaic pattern which has been incised into the clay.  The remainder of the piece is a polished micaceous blue coloration.  Susan has also included several actual coins.  She hope this would add another layer to the piece, as the coins have never caught on are largely the "forgotten" coin, much like Indian contributions to American history are often forgotten or ignored.  Few potters working today have such a profound sense of their pottery as a cultural or social statement.  Susan 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. She was most recently featured in the "Mothers and Daughters" exhibit at the Heard Museum in Phoenix, AZ.

4.75"w x 6.25"h

$1500.00

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.  These three pieces all have wildlife scenes.   The bowl on the left has a stylized avanyu with an angular back which as the bowl is turned looks like a mountain design.   The seedpot in the center is fired black and has two hummingbirds etched into the clay.  They are in flight and note there is also a small sunface in the sky!  The red is additional clay slip which is added.  The bowl on the right has two deer on one side and a mountain lion on the other side.  There is an additional band of incised rain designs and a bluish colored slip.  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 Avanyu                           2.5"w x 2.5"h            $575.00

Center:     Seedpot with Hummingbirds         2"w x 2"h                  $500.00

Right:       Bowl with Deer and Mt. Lion         3"w x 2.5"h               $700.00

Goldenrod (Gloria Garcia) - Santa Clara  

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.  These three pieces reflect the variety of the designs in her pottery.  The bowl on the left has a series of birds encircling the piece.  The black bowl in the center has a classic plumed water serpent as the design.  There are additional sun face patterns under the body of the avanyu.  She has added a red clay slip to accent the feathers on the avanyu and also inset a piece of turquoise for the eye.  The bowl on the right has a series of bears in four panels.  Two panels have realistic bears while the alternating two panels have Mimbres inspired bears.  Separating the panels are little incised bear paws!  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 Birds                                                    2"w x 1.75"h             $300.00

Center:      Black Bowl with Plumed Water Serpent         3"w x 2.5"h               $500.00 - SOLD

Right:        Bowl with Bears                                                    2.25"w x 2"h             $500.00   

      Jason Garcia - Santa Clara   NEW

Jason Garcia is fascinated with  the juxtaposition of contemporary and Pueblo culture as well as Pueblo history. These three tiles capture the variety in his work.  On the left is the "gameboy" size version of "Grand Theft Auto: Santa Clara".  This tile is from a few years ago and has the ruins at Puye in the center and the Santa Clara casino on the lower right.  There is a boy from Santa Clara on the right in front of the kiva ladder and a one of the corn maiden dancers on the left.  On the back, the arrows are the "cheat codes" for the game and they are to weather, or as Jason says it's the "modern rain dance".  In the center is Pueblo potter working on a piece of pottery.  The imagery is taken from a Edward Curtis photograph.  Note how Jason has used the clay color of the tile for the background of the pottery. As well, there is wonderful intricacy in the painting and folds of her dress!  The tile on the right was based on a photograph used in the book, "Born of Fire".  Here Margaret and Alcario Tafoya are firing their pottery.  The clay colors create a sepia appearance to the tile and seem to capture the same effect as the early photo from the 1950's.  Each piece is a hand built clay tile, made from native clay.  All of the colors are derived from Native clay. Each of his tiles is a perfect balance between the traditional "two-dimensional" Pueblo artwork and realism.  Jason 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:            Grand Theft Auto - Santa Clara                             7.5" x 7.5"       $900.00

Center:       Pueblo Potter                                                              7" x 9"            $925.00

Right:         Born of Fire - Firing Pottery                                    9" x 11"           $1400.00

     Jason Garcia - Santa Clara 

These two tiles are more recent work in clay by Jason Garcia.  On the left is a tile with two boys standing on the kiva (the underground room where traditional Pueblo ceremonies take place) in front of the Kiva ladder.  The is an older boy and his younger brother.  Jason said that this tile reminded him of his older brother, who passed away when Jason was just a small boy.  Here the two boys are looking off into the distance with a rather sentimental placement of the older brother standing behind and looking over his younger brother. The tile on the right is entitled, "The Potter - Kha Po Owinge". Kha Po Owinge is the Tewa name for Santa Clara pueblo.  Here there is an interesting contrast of with the detail of the woman carrying her pottery in a basket and in her hand with the linear outline of the building in the background.  There is amazing detail in her shawl, face and pottery which stand out against the starkness in her surroundings.   Each piece is a hand built clay tile, made from native clay.  All of the colors are derived from Native clay. Jason 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:        Boys at the Kiva                               7" x 9"                $1200.00

Right:     "The Potter - Kha Po Owinge"       7" x 9"                $1200.00

Jason Garcia - Santa Clara  NEW

Since Jason's first showing of his "comic book covers" at our gallery in 2008, they have become among his most iconic imagery.  Each of the "covers" is based on the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and the series is entitled, "Tewa Tales of Suspense".  This tile is entitled, "Cry of the Conqueror, Tewa Tales of Suspense #14", featuring the combat between the Pueblo warrior and the Spanish conquistadors.  The date on this pre-dates the Pueblo Revolt but focuses on the arrival of the Spanish in 1598.  The action on this piece is wonderfully portrayed, and the contrast of the Spanish with the Native is perfect in the use of their weapons, a sword and the tomahawk.  The piece is a clay tiles and painted with native clay slips and native fired.   Jason includes an amazing amount of historic and cultural information in his tiles. He is from family of renown potters, including his mother Gloria Garcia (Goldenrod) and great-grandmother, Severa Tafoya.  In  he was 2007 Dubin Fellowship recipient at the School of American Research in Santa Fe. One of his first comic tiles continues in the traveling exhibition of, "Comic Art Indigene", which has been at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.. Jason's innovative style and artwork in clay continues to make him one of the young leaders in Pueblo art. 

8.25"w x 11"h

$2500.00

Jason Garcia - Santa Clara  

This jar is has two sets of girls dressed for the Corn Maiden dance.  On one side there are three girls together and the other side has two girls who are Jason's daughters.  They are surrounded in the background by a Pueblo scene.  Note the satellite dishes and the TV antennae on the historic buildings.  It is amazing that Jason uses only natural clay slips to create the designs on his pottery.  Jason 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.  His work is currently in the traveling museum exhibit, "Comic Art Indigene", at the Heard Museum in "Native Pop" and his work was recently written up in "Art Ltd." magazine.

4.5"w x 9"h

$2000.00

Lydia Tafoya Garcia (1923-1976) - Santa Clara  

Lydia was a daughter of Severa Tafoya (1890-1973) and the mother of noted potters Greg Garcia, Tina Garcia and Virginia Garcia.  This is one of the few pieces of Lydia's work we have ever had in the gallery.  It is classic piece with melon ribs carved into the clay and the entire piece is fully polished.  The bowl has a slight turn at the shoulder toward the mouth of the bowl and the ribs stop at the shoulder.  The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair but some light scratches on the surface.  It is a classic piece and a wonderful historic example of the traditional style of pottery created by this amazing family!

6.25"w x 4.25"h            

$400.00 - SOLD

Tammy Garcia - Santa Clara  

This is a beautifully carved canister by Tammy Garcia.  It is an early piece of her work, made in 1988 and signed "Tammy Borts".  The design is the classic water serpent (avanyu) which encircles the entire piece. The intricacy of the design and the shape work together perfectly. The jar is beautifully polished and there is a wonderful contrast of the matte and polished surfaces.  The red on this jar is a wonderful deep coloration, which was derived from her early traditional outdoor firings as opposed to her using an electric kiln today.  The background area is also filled in with a traditional clay slip.  She only did this on some of her early pieces and then began to just use water to smooth out the matte area around the carvings as it was an easier process with such complicated carvings.  While simple compared to her current work, it is distinctive in its composition and design.  Tammy is a daughter of Linda Cain, sister of Autumn Borts-Medlock, granddaughter of Mary Cain and great-granddaughter of Christina Naranjo.  Tammy has won numerous awards for her pottery and most recently was the subject of a one-woman exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. This jar is accompanied by a copy of her book, "Tammy Garcia: Form Without Boundaries".

5"w x 6.25"h

$4400.00

Tina Garcia was a sister of Greg Garcia and granddaughter of Severa Tafoya.  She was renown for her re-creation of classic Santa Clara forms.  Her vessels are thin walled and highly polished.  It is the balance of form and the simplicity of design which was definitely a hallmark of her pottery.  These are three beautiful variations to her style of pottery.  On the left is a fully polished kiva bowl, with a kiva step design rising from the back of the piece.  The "kiva steps" are representative of the Kiva, which is where all ceremonial religious activities take place.  The shoulder on the bowl is very sharp and creates a beautiful edge as the piece rises to the terraced side.  The inside of the bowl is slipped with a micaceous clay.  The bowl on the right is a classic shape with a sharp shoulder and two impressed bear paws. The entire piece is fully polished and traditionally fired.  The shape and angle of the neck are perfect to reveal the bear paws as the design.  The jar on the right is a classic water jar with a double shoulder, long neck and a fluted rim. The jar is beautifully polished and reflects the symmetry of her work and the elegance of her polishing skill.  All three pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.   Tina 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.

Left:             Black Kiva Bowl                                         8"w x 6.5"h              $900.00

Center:        Red Bowl with Bear Paws                        6.5"w x 5.75"h         $600.00

Right:          Black Long Neck Water Jar                      6"w x 8.25"h            $1000.00 - SOLD

 Virginia Garcia - Santa Clara  

Virginia Garcia is from a family of renown potters, including siblings Tina Garcia and Greg Garcia and a granddaughter of Severa Tafoya.  Virginia has long been focused on making very classic style Santa Clara pottery.  The jar on the left has a double shoulder and has been fired a dark black.  She has also fluted the rim so that it undulates in shape.  The jar is beautifully polished.  The red water jar on the right is one of her larger pieces. The round shape extends up to a smaller mouth. There are impressed bear paws around the neck.  The jar is beautifully polished and an elegant shape.

The stunning red coloration achieved in the traditional firing process.  Virginia has won numerous awards for her pottery and continues to push boundaries with the colors achieved with her firings.

he has been making

Left:              Black Jar with Fluted Rim                    6"w x 7.5"h                    $400.00

Right:           Red Water Jar with Bear Paws            8"w x 10.25"h                 $700.00

Denny Gutierrez - Santa Clara   NEW

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)

$800.00

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!  It is amazing to think of the time it takes to find different clays to create the various colors.  This jar is a wonderful shape, with an old style narrow, concave base (about 3" diameter) which rises up to a shoulder which is almost ten inches across and then slopes up to the rim.  The design around the shoulder consists of two water serpents (avanyu) encircling the bowl.  Around the neck are three birds, which are a perfect contrast to the flow and color of the avanyus.  Note how the wings of bird are painted with a natural clay slip in such a "painterly" manner! 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.

9.5"w x 7"h

$850.00 - SOLD

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 vessels reveal the variety in their pottery shapes and painting detail. On the left is a bowl with Yei style figures around the body of the piece and a checkerboard snow pattern around the rim.  The Yei-figures were used beginning the 1970's and were inspired by the Navajo Yei dancers which are often depicted in the weavings.  The jar in the center is a classic long neck shape and intricately painted!  The design is a water serpent (avanyu) which encircles the shoulder of the jar and around the neck is a geometric cloud pattern.  The jar on the right again has the classic long neck but there are also handles on each side.  The design is the Yei figures with a simple black painted rain design around the neck.  All three pieces are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  They are all 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:                   Bowl with Yei Figures                    6"w x 5.75"h                $950.00

Center:              Jar with Avanyu                              5.5"w x 9"h                  $1100.00 - SOLD

Right:                Jar with Handles & Yei Figures    8"w x 9.75"h                $1500.00

Whimsical animals and unique shaped vessels were often created in clay by Margaret and Luther Gutierrez.  They were the children of noted potters Lela and Van Gutierrez.  They continued the family tradition of polychrome pottery.  All the different colors on these pieces are derived from natural clay slips.  On the left is one of their square bowls, with flat sides. There are Yei inspired figures and animals as the main designs.  On the Center Left is a miniature wedding vase.  There is a flute player on one side and cricket on the other.  The miniature bear in the Center Right is one of their whimsical animals.  The bear has a bug painted on its belly and a design also painted on its back. On the right is a small jar with three different insects as the design.  Each of the pieces is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Margaret and Luther have been featured in numerous books on Native Art and won awards at Santa Fe Indian Market, Gallup Ceremonials and other events.

Left:                    Square Bowl with Yei Figures                     4"w x 3.25"h              $600.00

Center Left:       Mini Wedding Vase                                      1"h                              $100.00 - SOLD

Center Right:    Mini Bear                                                        1.25"h                         $100.00

Right:                 Jar with Insects                                               1 1/8"h                        $100.00 - SOLD

Art Cody Haungooah (1943 - 1983) - Kiowa  

Art Cody Haungooah began making pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo in the early 1970's.  Married to Martha Suazo, he developed his unique style of incised imagery using Santa Clara coiling and polishing techniques.  Until he passed away in the early 1980's, he was considered very creative for his very distinctive imagery.  The seedpot on the left is from 1977 and has a stylized bird with an insect in its beak.  The remainder of the piece is fully polished.  The seedpot in the center is fully polished and has a stylized frog as the design. The center of the frog is a medallion with feather and rain patterns.  There is a single piece of shell hei-shi bead inset into the hole at the top of the seedpot.  This is from the early 1980's and is signed with a fish and "Haungooah" on the bottom.  The seedpot on the right is from 1978 and is a beautiful brownish coloration. There is a band of slanted feathers encircling the piece above a more traditional feather band below.  All three pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 

Left:         Seedpot with Bird  & Bug                                            1.75"w x 1.5"h              $350.00

Center:    Seedpot with Frog                                                          2"w x 2"h                      $700.00

Right:     Brown Seedpot with Feather Design                         1.5"w x 1.5"h                 $300.00     

   Art Cody Haungooah (1943 - 1983) - Kiowa  

Art Cody Haungooah began making pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo in the early 1970's.  Married to Martha Suazo, he developed his unique style of incised imagery using Santa Clara coiling and polishing techniques.  Today his son Dean Haungooah continues on in a similar tradition of tightly incised pottery.  Until he passed away in the early 1980's, he was considered very creative for his very distinctive imagery.  These are both distinctive pieces of his pottery. The bowl on the left has a stylized koshari clown and a lizard as the design in the central medallion.  This bowl is from 1976.   The tall seedpot on the right has a water serpent as the design and a sunface on the top.  Note that around the water serpent he has highlighted it with a yellow clay slip!  Both pieces are in excellent condition and beautiful examples of this talented potter! 

Left:        Bowl with Koshari Clown and Lizard            2.5"w x 2"h           $650.00

Right:     Red Seedpot with Sunface & Avanyu           1.25"w x 1.75"h     $600.00

Art Cody Haungooah (1943 - 1983) - Kiowa  

Here are two extraordinary seedpots by Art Cody Haungooah from the early 1980's.  The seedpot on the left is fully polished red and has a green area on the top with a sgraffito Mimbres style scorpion.  The body of the scorpion is additional incised and additional clay slips are added.  There are small designs, such as a sunface, surrounding the top of the seedpot.  The tall seedpot on the right has a medallion on one side with a Mimbres style frog.  It has been two-toned tan.  On the other side near the top is a turtle with a green back.  The turtle again has additional sgraffito designs and colors added.  Note as well the designs which are etched into the clay near the base!  These are both among the more intricate and complicated of Art's pottery!  Simply amazing.  They are each signed with a fish and the initials "AH" on the bottom in the clay.  Both pieces are in excellent condition and beautiful examples of this talented potter! 

Left:         Red and Green Seedpot with Scorpion                        2.25"w x 2.5"h        $1000.00

Right:      Black, Green and Brown Seedpot with Turtle            2"w x 2.75"h            $1200.00   

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

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

Kelli Little Katchina is a daughter of Lucy Yearflower and a granddaughter of Camilio Tafoya.  This is a beautiful bowl with a deep carved avanyu as the design. The avanyu encircles the entire bowl.  The area behind the carving is incised with linear lines which are left matte.  The contrast of the matte and polished surfaces along with the flowing designs is striking.   This bowl is from 1988 and while Kelli no longer makes pottery, but her pieces are a beautiful example of the her complicated pottery which was certainly innovative for its time! 

3.25"w x 2.5"h

$250.00

Rosemary is a daughter of Joseph Lonewolf and is known for her intricately etched seedpots.  Here is an exceptional miniature which is  fully incised and the designs are highlighted with additional clay slips.  This seedpot is from the early 1980's.  The small seedpot  has three 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.  Typical of her work, the balance of polished and matte areas is simply perfect and complements the intricacy of the designs.  While Rosemary no longer makes her incised pottery, this piece is a perfect of why her work has achieved such recognition.  It is 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.

1.5"w x 1.5"h              

$500.00

Grace Medicine Flower (b. 1938) - Santa Clara  

Early in her career, Grace was well known for her miniature sgraffito (etched) pottery. These two pieces show the evolution of Grace's incised designs over time.  The seedpot on the right is from 1976.  There are twenty-two incised deer as the design.   They encompass the entire surface of the seedpot and they are stylistically like the two-dimensional painted deer of Pop Chalee.  The deer are surrounded by traditional cloud and rain patterns. On the right is a jar from 1988 and has a single raised medallion with a buffalo as the design.  The buffalo is intricately designed and surrounded by prayer feather patterns.  The neck of the jar is carved in coils like a basket, polished tan and then incised to created the look of a basket!  This was Grace's early style for her "basket weave" pottery where he polished the basket area.  Later she would leave it matte and add additional clay slips.  Grace was among the first in the early 1970's to begin using the "sgraffito" technique to etch designs into the clay.  She did this along with her brother, Joseph Lonewolf, and her father, Camilio Tafoya.  Both pieces are in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Left:           Red Seedpot with 22 Deer                                                           4"w x 2.75"h                 $2800.00

Right:        Jar with Buffalo Medallion and Basket Weave Neck            2.75"w x 4.25"h            $3200.00

   Grace Medicine Flower (b. 1938) - Santa Clara    

Grace Medicine Flower was among the first in the early 1970's to begin using the "sgraffito" technique to etch designs into the clay.  She did this along with her brother, Joseph Lonewolf, and her father, Camilio Tafoya.  Over the years her work has evolved in amazing new directions.  The seedpot on the left has butterflies and flowers on the top and an amazingly intricate sunface medallion on the side.   This piece is from 1975.  The precision of the designs is simply perfect.  Note as well in the matte area surrounding the designs that it is also fully etched!  The smaller neck jar on the right is from 1993 has two deer as the design, incised into the clay.  The front has a fully incised deer in motion, while the other side has a smaller deer lying down right around the shoulder of the piece.  It is perfectly polished and for such a small work in clay, amazingly full of design!

Left:        Red Seedpot with butterflies            1.75"w x 1.25"h            $800.00 - SOLD

Right:     Red Jar with Prancing Deer              2.25"w x 2.75"h            $1800.00

Grace Medicine Flower (b. 1938) - Santa Clara  

Grace Medicine Flower continues to be create amazing pieces of pottery. This bowl brings together so many aspects of her pottery.  The central focus is the basket pattern, etched into the clay.  The various colors are different clay slips.  There are seven dragonflies which are carved in relief encircling the bowl.  It is amazing that she can carve into the rim and have the piece survive and not crack. Note as well the intricacy of the basket which is carved and incised in the clay.  The realism of the basket is stunning.  All the different clay colors are derived from native clays.  The contrast of matte and polished surfaces draws the eye to the various designs and imagery on this beautiful vase.  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.

4.5"w x 4.25"h

$6000.00

Jennifer & Mike Moquino - Santa Clara NEW

While Jennifer is well known for her vessels, she also creates intricate and imaginative figurative work.  Here are three of her various animals.  On the left is a quail which is fully polished and designed.  On each side are intricately designed scenes with quail.  One has an agave cactus in the background and the has three quail together.  Note that they added an actual feather on the head of the quail!  In the center is a horned lizard and there are geometric pattern etched onto the polished surface of the back of the lizard.  On the right is a wonderful Prairie Hen figure.  It is a male Prairie Hen and there are scenes on each side. One side has a male and the other two females.  There is wonderful additional work on the back and sides of the figure as well.  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".

Left:         Quail Figure with Quail Scene                             3" long                             $550.00 - SOLD

Center:    Horned Lizard                                                         3" long                             $170.00 -  SOLD

Right:      Prairie Hen with Bird Scenes                               3.5" long                          $480.00

Jennifer & Mike Moquino - Santa Clara      NEW

This jar has two medallions incised into the clay.  Both images are different views of a Pickerel Frog.  Separating the two medallions  are bands with frogs and dragonflies.  The bowl is beautifully polished and the incised designs in the clay are  striking complement to the shine of the surface.  The additional geometric patterns incised into the clay are cloud rain and water symbols.  The detail on the jar is amazing!   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".

2"w x 3"h

$900.00

   Jennifer & Mike Moquino - Santa Clara  

This is one of the larger jars we have had from Jennifer in the past year.  It is highly polished and fired black.  At the top are dragonflies, then a band with water serpents encircling the jar.  The water serpent (avanyu) has and interesting double meaning that one legend tells of how is saved the village of Santa Clara from a flood, and that is why it is often depicted with rain clouds and is a "good luck" symbol.  Another legend tells of how the avanyu encircles the earth and keeps the water from coming onto the land, which is why the tongue and tail always overlap.  Here, Jennifer has placed the avanyu between the dragonflies in the sky and the fish and turtles in the water!  Below the water serpent are an amazing variety of fish, turtles, frogs and snakes.  Each one is distinctive and in motion!  The detail in each of the fish, amphibians or insects is amazing, as each one is lightly etched into the surface of the clay.  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 6.25"h

$4400.00

Jennifer & Mike Moquino - Santa Clara  

This tall jar is a spectacular piece which Jennifer has entitled, "Arizona State Animals" for the Arizona Centenary (February 14).  Around the jar are three large medallions.  One has ringtails (Arizona state Mammal), which is like a raccoon.  The next medallion has a Cactus Wren (state bird) and the third an Arizona ridge-nose rattlesnake (state reptile).  Around the shoulder are three smaller medallions with an Apache trout (state fish), a swallowtail butterfly (state butterfly) and an Arizona tree frog (state reptile).  Separating the three larger medallions are the flowers of the saguaro cactus.  The detail in each of the animals is amazing!  The Cactus Wren is exceptional, with the feathers almost appearing life-like!  Note around the rattlesnake the various cacti, which are so detailed.  The work throughout is perfection, so no reason to elaborate yet to say that this piece is truly spectacular!  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".

3.75"w x 5.5"h

$3600.00 - SOLD

     Geri Naranjo - Santa Clara   NEW

Geri Naranjo is one of the best known miniature pottery makers at Santa Clara Pueblo.  Here are two of her miniatures each fully polished and etched with design into the clay. On the left is a long neck jar with a water serpent around the shoulder and a feather pattern around the neck.  The rim has been two-toned to make it sienna in coloration. The bowl on the right has a feather pattern around the top and the rim has been two-toned sienna.  Both pieces are in perfect condition and perfectly polished.  Note the precision of the etching and the intricacy of the various designs and how the are perfectly balanced on the piece.  Geri has won numerous awards for her work and has influenced the pottery of her children, Kevin Naranjo and Monica Romero.

Left:         Black & Sienna Jar w/ Avanyu                                1.5"w x 1.75"h        $300.00

Right:      Black & Sienna Bowl with Feather Pattern          1.25"w x .75"h         $200.00

Jody Naranjo - Santa Clara      NEW

Jody Naranjo has found a distinctive place in the world of contemporary Pueblo pottery.  Using traditional methods from coil building her vessels to outdoor firings, she creates a distinctive coloration that varies on each of her pieces.  However, it is not the shape which captures the eye, as it is purely a canvas for her distinctive style of design work.  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 appeal. Her are two spectacular pieces of her pottery.  On the left is jar with a wide shoulder and slightly elongated neck.  The neck and base are fully polished and the area above the shoulder is matte.  The design is a series of 8 antelope incised into the clay.  Note as well that the neck and base are also fully incised with a rug or star motif!  The coloration from the firing on this jar is beautiful as it is a dark chocolate brown tone.  The 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 are behind the figures is also fully incised with linear designs.  The final photo above shows Jody's work in the gallery just to give the pieces a sense of scale.  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                                                               9.5"w x 7.5"h          $3800.00
Right:     Large Jar with Detailed Rim, Horses and Riders        10"w x 13"h             $7000.00

Jody Naranjo & Dominique Toya - Santa Clara & Jemez    

This is a stunning collaborative jar by Jody and Dominique.  The jar is a beautiful combination of their distinctive styles. The top carved area has sharp micaceous slipped melon ribs carved into the clay. They swirl down from the unique mouth to the shoulder.  Jody Naranjo did the work on the polished surface below the shoulder. There are a variety of scenes from life at the Pueblo, with women holding their pottery, the pueblo buildings and the Pueblo church.  Take a closer look at the final image above and not the blend of the two styles and also the detail of the sgraffito work by Jody.  The coloration of the jar from the native firing is simply stunning and the form is elegant and creates a perfect blend of their two distinctive styles.  Both of these potters hold a rare distinction, as they have both won "Best of Pottery" at Santa Fe Indian Market.  Jody is a daughter of Dolly Naranjo, and a granddaughter of Rose Naranjo.  Dominque learned to make pottery from her mother, Maxine Toya.  Both potters have been featured in numerous books and their pottery can be found in museums nationwide, such as the Heard Museum and the Denver Art Museum.  While both are renown potters for their own work, it is exciting to see such a stunning collaboration that adds to the overall impact of their artistry in clay!

7"w x 9.5"h

$4000.00 -  SOLD

Madeline Naranjo - Santa Clara   NEW

Here are three beautifully carved pieces by Madeline Naranjo.  She is a granddaughter of Madeline Naranjo and known for her deeply carved pottery which is thin walled and contrasts the matte area of her carved designs with the polished surfaces.  The bowl on the left has two carved bear paws and in the center of each paw is a matte bear with a carved heartline.  The bowl is highly polished and a beautiful contrast of matte and burnished surfaces.  The miniature bowl in the center has a polished rim and the remainder is fully carved and has four water serpent heads as the design.  For a piece so small, it is very tightly carved and fully designed!  The jar on the left has two female potters on each side.  One is holding a bowl, the other a jar.  Between them are carved storage jars.  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 Bear in a Bear Paw         3.5"w x 3"h            $225.00

Center:    Bowl with Avanyu Heads                2.5"w x 2"h            $150.00

Right:      Jar with Potters & Pottery                 4.25"w x 3.75"h     $425.00

Kevin Naranjo & Marian Rose Naranjo - Santa Clara    NEW

This jar is from the early 1990's and was a collaborative piece by Kevin Naranjo and Marian Rose Naranjo.  Kevin is the son of noted potter Geri Naranjo and he did the incised designs on the bowl.  Marian Rose is a sister of potter Paul Naranjo, and she made the jar.  They began working together in the early 1990's and they made a fantastic team.  Marian created beautiful shapes such as this piece, with wide shoulders and elongated necks and a very high polish.  Kevin learned much of his incising technique from Paul Naranjo, especially about designing animals on his pottery.  This stunning piece is a larger example of their pottery and it is fully designed.  There is a single large elk on one side and there is a forest design around the remainder of the piece.  Around the neck is a water serpent (avanyu) and a feather pattern.  The bottom is also fully incised with plant designs.  After the piece was polished, fired and incised, then Kevin would "two-tone" the designs to create the brown and black colorations.  At the time their work was definitely something new and they won numerous awards for their pottery.  This jar is in excellent condition and it is a beautiful reflection of their artistic skills.  While they no longer work together, they both continue to make pottery today.

5"w x 3"h

$2000.00

Marian Rose Naranjo  - Santa Clara 

Marian Naranjo is a sister of noted potter Paul Naranjo.  She began making pottery in the early 1980's with her husband, Ernest Naranjo. She then made pottery on her own for several years before she began to make pieces for Kevin Naranjo.  This bowl has Marian's classic wide shoulder shaped jar for which she is the most famous.  This piece is from the early 1980's and has a realistic hummingbird on one side and a stylized Mimbres bird on the other side.  The etching is very superficial and the bowls are both fired to a reddish-brown coloration.

3.5"w x 2.25"h     

$300.00

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 is an early piece of his work and shows the precision and detail of his work.  There area  male and female deer encircling the piece, surrounded by a forest scene.  In the sky above is a water serpent and at the top is a tightly incised feather design.  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.  This seedpot is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. Paul's pottery has been featured in numerous books including "Beyond Traditions".

2.25"w x 2.5"h

$450.00 - SOLD

  Rose Naranjo (1915-2002) - Santa Clara 

Rose Naranjo is one of the great Matriarchs of Santa Clara pueblo.  She was the mother of noted potters Jody Folwell, Nora Naranjo-Morse, Dolly Naranjo and the grandmother of Susan Folwell, Roxanne Swentzell, Dusty Naranjo, Jody Naranjo and others.  This is a jar of hers from the 1980's and it is in perfect condition.  The jar is made form a micaceous clay and has a lizard in relief on the surface. The various colors are a result of the firing. There is an article on Rose from the 2001 Indian Market Magazine. 

6.25"w x 4"h             

$500.00 - SOLD

Teresita Naranjo (1919-1999) - Santa Clara

Teresita began making pottery in the 1940's and quickly developed her unique style of deeply carved pottery.  Her work is highly polished and the carving is amazingly deep.  The bowl on the left is very deeply carved into the clay with a cloud, rain and wind pattern.  The design beautifully spirals around the shoulder of the piece.  It is highly polished and fired to a dark black.  In contrast, the bowl on the right is fully polished red and has the traditional cream clay slip in the background area.  It is very deeply carved as the carving is almost an 1/4 inch deep!  The design is a stylized water serpent (avanyu) which encircles the bowl.  Note as well in the second image how the design extends up from the shoulder.  Teresita is considered the first Santa Clara potter to carve outside of a linear pattern. This bowl has been traditionally fired and it is a beautiful coloration.  Teresita was a daughter of Christina Naranjo,  a sister of Mary Cain and the great-aunt to Autumn Borts and Tammy Garcia.  She was already famous for her creative, flowing designs when she was featured in the 1974 Arizona Highways magazine on  Pueblo pottery.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 

Left:            Black Carved Bowl with Wind Designs         6.5"w x 4.5"h            $1600.00 - SOLD     

Right:          Red Bowl with Avanyu                                    6"w x 3.75"h             $1100.00

  Teresita Naranjo (1919-1999) - Santa Clara 

Teresita Naranjo 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.  This is a large and stunning piece of her plainware pottery.  This jar is a true "melon bowl", with the ribs pushed out on the sides of the clay.  There are twelve ribs encircling the jar at an angle and then end at the elongated neck.  The entire surface is fully polished and its a simple but elegant jar.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. It is a beautiful piece of her fully polished pottery with an striking emphasis on the form!

9"w x 9.25"h                   

$3800.00

   Elmer Red Starr - Sioux     

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 canister shaped piece 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:        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 - Santa Clara    

Cliff is a son of noted potter Toni Roller and a grandson of Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001).  In learning from his mother, he continues in a similar style with deeply carved designs, elegant forms and a high polish.  The bowl on the left has a wind pattern as the design.  It was made in 1988.  The jar on the right has a carved band around the piece with various lightning designs carved into the clay.  It is a beautiful and complex pattern.  The jar was made in 1988.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  While Cliff makes very little pottery anymore, he won numerous awards for his work at Santa Fe Indian Market over the years. 

Left:       Bowl with Wind Pattern                5"w x 4"h                $700.00

Right:     Jar with Lightning Designs          4.25"w x 5.5"h        $800.00 - SOLD

Jeff Roller - Santa Clara    

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).  This miniature jar is a smaller version of some of his larger vessels.  It has an eagle head for the lid and the neck descends into carved feathers above the shoulder.  Take a closer look at the lid on this jar, the head and beak of the eagle are incredible in their detail!  Jeff has won numerous awards for his pottery and continues to evolve with more complicated forms and detailed animals. 

2.25"w x 3.75"h       

$850.00

       Toni Roller (b. 1935) - Santa Clara    

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.  These two pieces have a wonderful sense of form and design. This tall jar exemplifies both the elegant forms she creates and the striking beauty of her stone polished surfaces.  The jar has a low shoulder and an elongated neck. There are two bear paw carved into the clay and then polished over. The entire jar is fully polished and it is simply stunning in appearance.  On the right is a classic jar with a wide, sharp shoulder and a slight neck. The jar is plain, but perfectly polished.  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:            Long Neck Jar with Bear Paws            7.5"w x 10.5"h           $1800.00

Right:         Plain Wide Shoulder Jar                      6.25"w x 4.25"h          $900.00

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 amazingly detailed with designs.  Her pottery is always fascinating, as it is etched on numerous levels to create the various contrasts in colors.  Here are two intricate miniatures of her work. On the left is a "three sided" seedpot.  On one side there are Mimbres style bees above flowers, on the other side is a Mimbres inspired rabbit. On the third side is a flute player. Note the clouds behind the rabbit, they are amazingly realistic!  The seedpot on the right has 3 Mimbres bats in flight. They are shown flying down from the mesa to the Pueblo and there are two villagers watching them in flight!  For such a small piece it is amazingly complicated and full of design and story! 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 Rabbit & Bees                  2"w x 1.75"h               $600.00       

Right:      Seedpot with Bats & Pueblo                   1.75"w x 1.75"h         $475.00

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!

7"w x 5"h                 

$850.00

     Helen Shupla (1928-1985) - Santa Clara  NEW

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.  They are based on a natural form the tend to have a very organic appearance.  This bowl is one of her brown fired pieces. The coloration is striking and varied as the bowl is turned, giving it a very organic and natural appearance.  There are 18 ribs which are pushed out in the clay and are very round and pronounced.  The shape is beautiful as the low shoulder enhances the width of the ribs and there is just a very simple, small neck on the jar.  This jar 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!

7.5"w x 5"h               

$3900.00

     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.  On the left is a large melon which is a deep red coloration.  It has a bit lower shoulder and a more elongated neck.  On the right is a larger, stunning black fired jar.  It has a dark black coloration and the polish has a glassy appearance.  Both pieces are 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!

Left:        Large Red Melon Jar               9"w x 7"h                $8000.00

Right:     Large Black Melon Jar           8.5"w x 6.5"h           $6500.00

        Mary Singer (b. 1936) - Santa Clara   

Mary Singer is a daughter of potter Pablita Chavarria and the sister of noted potters Reycita Naranjo and Elizabeth Naranjo.  Mary is well known for her large sized pottery and very complicated carved designs. On the left is one of her engagement baskets with a twisted handle and a carved avanyu as the design.  The entire piece, including the handle, is fully polished.  The bowl on the right also has 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 both pieces are fired a dark black which is typical of her work.  Mary has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market.

Left:        Engagement Basket               5"w x 6"h                                $450.00    

Right:     Bowl with Avanyu                5"w x 4.25"h                            $650.00

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

$200.00

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 carved pottery for which she achieved the most recognition.  This is one of her engagements baskets with a carved rain cloud and lightning design around the body of the piece.  The shape has four clay handles which intertwine at the top.  The pieces is in good condition with not restoration or repair and a few small dings and a slip crack on the top of one handle. However, it is an unusual shape for her pottery and an early use of this distinctive form.  It is not often that we get her work in the gallery so it is always interesting to see what styles and designs she used on her work.

4"w x 5.5"h

$200.00

Camilio Tafoya was a brother of Margaret Tafoya and Christina Naranjo and a son of Sara Fina Tafoya.  He was also the father of Grace Medicine Flower and Joseph Lonewolf.  When he began to make pottery in the 1940's and 1950's, he made deeply carved pottery and focused on larger sized vessels.  This large wedding vase on the left is one of his classic styles with a sun face design carved on both sides of the vase.  Note how the design is carved into the "negative space" as opposed to the typical linear pattern designs used by many other potters of the same time period.  The shape of the handles is distinctive on his pottery, with the indented and tapered spouts.  The wedding vase is in good condition with no chips, cracks restoration or repair. There are slight scratches on the surface.  On the right is one of his bowls from around 1970.  At this time he was no longer making the larger pieces of pottery, and was embarking on the "new" style of sgraffito pottery.  This bowl is highly polished black with a two-tone sienna rim.  On the rim is an incised water serpent.  The incised design is a bit cruder than his later pottery, but certainly a reflection of the innovative early time period.  This smaller bowl is in excellent condition.  Both pieces are signed on the bottom in the clay.  These are certainly two distinctive pieces of pottery by this important Santa Clara potter.

Left:        Large Carved Wedding Vase with Sun Design          12"w x 16"h            $2800.00

Right:     Black and Sienna Avanyu Bowl                                    5"w x 3"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.  The seedpot on the left has a classic "feathered" water serpent as the design which encircles the entire piece.  It is an early incised piece from 1973.  Note in the second image the feathers on the back of the head.  The jar in the center is a classic water jar shape.  It was made in 1975 and has 32 incised feathers as the design, encircling the jar. The third piece is a small seedpot with two shields as the design. The holes in the seedpot are the centers of the shields.  This small piece is from 1974. 

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 pottery career.

Left:               Seedpot with Avanyu                               2.5"w x 1.75"h        $1000.00 - SOLD

Center:          Red Jar with 32 Feathers                           2.25"w x 2.5"h        $800.00

Right:            Seedpot with two Shields                        2.25"w x 1.25"h      $600.00

Camilio Tafoya's name has become synonymous with the intricate miniature sgraffito pottery he began creating in the 1970's.  This seedpot is from 1982 and it is fully polished.  It has a fish on one side and a bird on the other side.  The entire piece is fully designed.  Separating the two medallions are incised leaves which are highlighted with a green clay slip. This seedpot is among the most detailed of his work with a tighter than normal precision to his designs.  This piece is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 

2"w x 2"h          

$1200.00

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

Celes was a daughter of noted potter Legoria Tafoya.  She worked both with her mother and with her daughter on pottery. This open bowl is by both Celes and Evelyn.  The bowl has two bears as the handles, looking into the bowl!  The entire piece is fully polished and it is signed on the bottom of the piece.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

8"w x 4.5"h      

$600.00 -  SOLD

Lee Tafoya was the only son of noted potter Margaret Tafoya to make pottery.  He often worked with his wife, Betty, on their pottery.  Their children include Linda Tafoya, who is also a well-known potter.  When Lee and Betty worked together, Lee would make and carve the pottery while Betty would polish the surface.  This wonderful canister has a dragonfly design carved on each side. It has been highly fired as the coloration is near gunmetal metallic in appearance.  The jar was made in 1978 and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is not often that we find pieces with both signatures and this is a beautiful example of their classic pottery!

4.25"w x 4.5"h

Linda Tafoya-Sanchez - Santa Clara   NEW

Stunning!  This is an amazing jar by Linda Tafoya-Sanchez.  The piece is fully carved with a feather pattern extending down from the neck to below the shoulder.  There are 54 carved feathers on the top and 54 on the bottom extending up from the base.  Around the shoulder of the jar is a single band which has been incised with San Juan style rain and kiva step designs.  This section has been polished tan in contrast to the red polished feathers on either side.  The jar is traditionally fired and the highly polished surface, the precision of the carving and the contrast of the colorations is simply perfection!  This is a fantastic piece by Linda and a wonderful example of why she is among the leading potters working today.  She 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. 

7.5"w x 9.5"h               

$4500.00

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 center left has a single band of carving with various lightning and cloud patterns encircling the piece. The area above and below the carving is fully polished. The bowl in the center right has feathers carved into the clay which rise up from the base.  The feathers are alternating micaceous and polished surfaces.  There is a single band of micaceous clay around the shoulder and the top is fully polished. 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

Center Left:        Bowl with Lightning Designs     2.5"w x 2.25"h                $500.00     

Center Right:     Bowl with Feather Pattern            3.25"w x 3.75"h              $700.00

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

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 of her very distinctive pieces of pottery.  On the left is a bowl with two carved hummingbirds. The are around the birds is also carved and has a micaceous clay slip which sparkles in contrast to the rest of the polished surface of the bowl.  Note as well how she rounds out the body of her birds which gives them a very dimensional appearance.  The bowl in the center is fully polished and has five swirl melon ribs extending from the mouth to the base.  The remainder of the piece is fully polished.  The bowl on the right has a carved avanyu around the shoulder.   Note the square face of the avanyu which is stylistically very similar to that of her father.  Below the Avanyu are a series of alternating groups of 36 polished and micaceous feathers.  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 Avanyu and Feather Pattern            5"w x 4"h            $1000.00

Center:   Carved Half Melon Swirl Bowl                          5.25"w x 3.75"h   $800.00

Right:     Bowl w/ 2 Hummingbirds                                   3.5"w x 3"h          $750.00

  LuAnn Tafoya - Santa Clara    

This carved bowl is a wonderful form from LuAnn.  It is oval in shape and the rim has been carved in to a scalloped design and fully polished.  There is a band of carving around the shoulder with a buffalo design on the sides.  On the longer sides there is a sun and moon pattern with a cloud design.  The remainder of the piece is fully polished and a stunning red coloration!  As well, few are able to polish large areas with her skill and achieve such a high shine!  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. 

7"w x 7"h

$2500.00

     LuAnn Tafoya - Santa Clara    

As LuAnn Tafoya is renown for her large scale pottery, it is rare and exciting when she finishes smaller pieces of her pottery.  Here is a classic wedding vase by LuAnn.  It is polished red and has a classic buffalo design carved into the clay.  The red surface is highly polished and a perfect contrast to the cream clay surface surrounding the geometric patterns.  This is a pattern which is often seen on work by her mother, Margaret Tafoya.  LuAnn consistently creates a wonderful symmetry to her pottery form and the complement of the high polish and classic designs are simply perfect!    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. 

9"w x 13"h        

$2800.00

     LuAnn Tafoya - Santa Clara    

This wide shoulder bow is a classic shape from LuAnn Tafoya.  It has a narrow base and a wide shoulder.  The design carved into the clay is a water serpent (avanyu) which encircles the entire piece.  It is difficult to create this form using traditional Santa Clara clay.  The bold and intricate carving is perfectly placed on the shoulder of this stunning bowl.  Note as well how she has even polished the inside of the lip!  As well, 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 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. 

14"w x 6"h

$5500.00

Madeline Tafoya (1912 - 2002) - Santa Clara  NEW

Madeline Tafoya was the sister of Belen Tapia and an aunt of Anna Archuleta and Anita Suazo and the mother of Laura Tafoya.  This bowl is from 1986 and it is a carved 16 rib melon bowl.  They are all carved at and angle and the entire piece is fully polished.  Madeline was known for both her carved and plainware pottery. This bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair and it is signed on the bottom in the clay. 

5.25"w x 3.25"h

$400.00 - SOLD

  Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara  NEW

This is a charming smaller bowl by Margaret Tafoya.  It is from the 1960's and has a very simple single mountain and lightning design carved into the clay.  The entire piece is fully polished.  The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Margaret", which is how she signed much of her work in the 1960's.  The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair there are a few small rubs on the surface near the top which can be seen in the photos. 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".  While her pottery is an important addition to any collection, finding smaller pieces is always exciting!

5"w x 3.25"h

$1850.00

Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara  NEW

This small bow by Margaret is from the 1960.  It has a simple design with a cloud pattern encircling the surface of the piece.  However, it is the polish which is so striking on the piece.  It has a very high shine which was not always the case for this period of her work and just seems to glow!  Typical of her work the carving is simple and matches the shape of the bowl.  This piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Margaret".  The bowl is in very good condition with one small rub on the surface.   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".  While her pottery is an important addition to any collection, finding her red ware with such intricate carving is always exciting!

5.25"w x 4.75"h

$2800.00

    Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara 

In the 1980's, Margaret Tafoya, then in her 80's, made some of the smaller pieces in her career.  This bowl is from the mid 1980's and has a wonderful design which is carved into four panels.  The imagery is the wind (the angular lines) blowing over the clouds.  The area surrounding the cloud designs has the traditional cream clay slip  The bowl has a lighter red coloration, which may be from either the slip or the firing.  The rim and base are both fully polished.  The bowl is signed on the bottom, "Margaret Tafoya".  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  The bowl is signed, "Margaret Tafoya" in the clay on the bottom.  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".   She was the matriarch of a family of amazing potters, including Nathan Youngblood, Nancy Youngblood, Toni Roller, LuAnn Tafoya and Daryl Whitegeese!  It is exciting to think that the next generation, her great-grandchildren, are now being potters and developing their own careers.

6.25"w x 5.25"h

$3800.00

   Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara  

It is not often that we come across red pottery by Margaret Tafoya.  Most of her redware was made between the 1960's and 1980's.  This wonderful bowl is from the mid 1980's.  It is very tightly carved with a single band around the neck and then another band of carved imagery. There are cloud, rain, wind and water designs.  The entire bowl is fully polished and fired a wonderful red coloration.  There is the traditional cream clay slip in the background.  The bowl is signed, "Margaret Tafoya" in the clay on the bottom.   This bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 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".  While her pottery is an important addition to any collection, finding her red ware with such intricate carving is always exciting!

7.5"w x 5.5"h

$5800.00 - SOLD

Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) - Santa Clara  

Margaret Tafoya was one of the most influential potters at Santa Clara Pueblo, as she was part of the change of pottery from a folk art to fine art. This large bowl is a beautiful example of her pottery.  It has a low shoulder and it is fully carved with design in a central band.  The design on this bowl is more complicated, with varied kiva step and lightning patterns encircling the entire piece.  The use of the kiva step design is representative in Santa Clara of the Kiva, or building, where all the religious and many social ceremonies begin.  It's also always interesting to note that the room in Margaret's house where she worked on pottery looks out at one of the kivas on the pueblo!  The polish on the bowl is perfect, with a very high shine. This piece is a perfect representation of her style from the 1970's, at the apex of her career.  It has an intricately carved design with clean lines which is complemented by a beautifully stone polished surface.  The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Margaret Tafoya".  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  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".  While her pottery is an exciting addition to any collection, finding larger pieces with such complicated imagery are always exciting!

9"w x 7.5"h

$8000.00 - 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 current "Born of Fire" exhibition at the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh, PA.

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 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 seedpot in the center has a fish on one side and a bee on the other side.  The seedpot on the right has a bear as the central animal image. There are additional prayer feather and medicine designs on the surrounding sides.  All three pieces were made in 1986 and all 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 Fish                        1.25"w x 1.75"h                                         $500.00

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

Sara Fina Tafoya (1863 - 1949) - Santa Clara  

Sara Fina Tafoya is among the most renown of the early Santa Clara potters.  She is the matriarch of several families of potters, included among her children were Camilio Tafoya, Margaret Tafoya and Christina Naranjo.  Sara Fina is considered on of the first potters to begin "carving" into the clay to create designs in her pottery, beginning in 1924.  This bowl is a later example of her pottery, most likely from the early 1940's.   It has a fluted rim and it polished with a slip on the outside, to create a higher shine.  It is also polished with water on the inside and in the photo, the polishing marks are visible.  This is one of the few pieces of Sara Fina's work which is signed.  It is signed in the clay "Sara Fina Tafoya  Santa Clara Pueblo".  While the bottom is polished, there is a strip of matte clay slip where it is signed.  It is thought that on the pieces of her work which have a signature, they were signed by her son Manuel.   Although there is some wear on the bottom, the signature is still visible as it was signed into the clay.  This bowl is in good condition, with some slight wear on the rim, some rough areas near the base and a small slip crack.  It is always exciting to find historically important pieces like this bowl, as there are so few signed pieces of her work in existence!  This bowl is definitely an important addition to any collection!

8.75"w x 4.5"h

$4500.00           

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 on the left 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.  On the right is a very simple piece from Shirley. It is an engagement basket with the twisted handles. The entire piece is fully polished which is amazing considering the delicate nature of the handles!  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.

Left:        Tall Carved Jar with Kiva Rim & Avanyu            2.75"w x 4.25"h                      $2000.00

Right:     Fully Polished Engagement Basket                       2"w x 2.75"h                           $600.00

         Minnie Vigil (b. 1931) - Santa Clara  

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 seedpot in the center is fully polished red and the design is painted on the highly polished surface.  There are two medallions with a feather and rain cloud pattern.  Opposite are two medallions which are polychrome with a rain cloud pattern.  The jar on the right 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.  Her pottery is a wonderful balance of form and tightly painted design.  Minnie 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          $175.00

Center:              Seedpot with Feather and Cloud Medallions            3"w x 2"h             $200.00

Right:                Red Jar with Rain Cloud Patterns                                3.25"w x 3"h        $225.00

     Daryl Whitegeese - Santa Clara   NEW

This is a classic bowl from Daryl which shows of both the shape, polish and design beautifully.  The bowl has a carved avanyu which encircles the piece.  Daryl is creating very intricately carved designs such as this water serpent (avanyu).  Note how as the bowl is turned the design continues to change shape and become more angular with lighting and rain patterns as part of the design.  The carved imagery on this jar is perfectly complemented by the highly polished areas above and below the central band. Daryl continues to become one of the more exceptional polishers at Santa Clara.  He 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, and this year he again won an "Honorable Mention" and "Second Place" at the Heard Museum Indian Market. He has also won the "Utilitarian Pottery" special award at Santa Fe Indian Market. He is certainly a potter to watch!

7.75"w x 7.25"h

$3000.00

Daryl Whitegeese - Santa Clara  

This jar is an elegant shape and striking in the shine from the stone polished surface.  The area from the rim to the shoulder is fully polished and the same with the base.  The design is a cloud and lightning pattern which he has carved in four sections around the center band.  The carving is tight and the surrounding matte area helps to make this simple design so visually striking.  As well, Daryl has added two small incised bear paws as part of the design. The bear paws are symbolic of water, as is the design on this piece.  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, and this jar won an "Honorable Mention" at the Heard Museum Indian Market in 2010. He has also won the "Utilitarian Pottery" special award at Santa Fe Indian Market. He is certainly a potter to watch!

8"w x 10"h

$4000.00 - SOLD

Lucy Year Flower - Santa Clara   NEW

Lucy Yearflower is a sister-in-law of Joseph Lonewolf and Grace Medicine Flower.  She was known for her deep carved pottery and each piece has a flower etched into the piece as part of the design.  This seedpot has an avanyu carved into the clay, encircling the entire piece.  There are two openings which have a narrow bridge between them which is carved with the tail of the avanyu.  The mouths are both two-toned so the bowl is black-and-sienna in coloration.  Lucy now no longer makes much pottery but mostly jewelry.  The piece is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

2.75"w x 2.5"h

$200.00

Nancy Youngblood - Santa Clara   NEW

Stunning!  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

   Nancy Youngblood - Santa Clara  

This is a classic melon ribbed bowl from Nancy Youngblood.  It is amazing that for a piece with 32 ribs swirling around from the mouth to the base, how tightly they are carved into the clay and the precision of the edges.  The edges are very sharp and so thin, it is surprising that they could be stone polished!  Note as well the shape, as it is a narrow base and a round shoulder, a very beautiful form for her work. The high shine from the polishing and the angles of the ribs reflect the light beautifully.  Nancy Youngblood is a daughter of Mela Youngblood and a granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya and the mother of Chris Youngblood.  When she first began making pottery, she started with miniatures, focusing on creating very intricate form and tightly carved designs.  She was inspired to begin making the swirl melon bowls when she saw one by her great-uncle Camilio Tafoya.  This bowl is amazingly polished to a high, glossy shine and is in perfect condition.  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.

4.5"w x 3.25"h

$9500.00

   Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara   NEW

Nathan Youngblood began making pottery in the early 1970's and began making larger, classic shaped vessels. It has only been in the past several years that he has made smaller pieces.  Having created jewelry designs, the tightness of those patterns has translated well to his smaller works in clay.  Here are two stunning jars which are both fully polished and fired red.  Nathan traditionally fires his red pottery and the coloration is simply stunning as it is a vey deep red.  On the left is a low shoulder water jar with carved feathers around the neck.  There is a matte band around the shoulder and below are carved sections of design including rain and cloud patterns, key hole doorways and an incised mountain design.  On the neck of the jar he has incised a lightning design on two of the feathers.  There is additional lightning design below the shoulder and also a pair of deer tracks (from his Tewa name).  The jar on the right has an oval mouth and it is oval in shape above the low shoulder.  The design begins with a Spring sun medallion and as the jar is turned there are a series of cloud patterns which then become the avanyu!  The area between the avanyu's head and the sun has a rain pattern, for the Spring rains.  The inside of the lips on both jars are also fully polished.  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. 

Left:        Red Jar with Feather Pattern and Lightning            4"w x 4"h                $4200.00

Right:     Red Oval Mouth Jar with Spring Sun                       3.5"w x 4"h             $4500.00

Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara  

This is a dynamic piece from Nathan Youngblood which reveals his incredible skill as a potter.  This is his three part "Banded Earth" cylinder jar.  The shape of the cylinder is among the most difficult to create in the coiling technique, as you are building upward and not outward or inward!  This amazing piece has a base which has a red polished walking bear paw design.  The central column has three bands of design. The top band is cloud and rain designs, the center band is the water serpent and the bottom band is series of earth motifs, such as mountains.  On the top is a flat lid which is carved with a rising sun in tan and a cloud pattern in red.  The vessel as a whole seems to tell the story of a day in the life of the earth, with the rising sun, the cloud and rain over the mountains and the avanyu and bear tracks keeping track of the people.  Again, simply amazing!  The jar is a classic use of his "tri-color" style of red, tan and buff, combining matte and polished surfaces.  Interestingly, the tan polished area is technically the most difficult color to achieve in Santa Clara pottery as no slip is used, only water, and then it is stone polished.  After a piece is fired Nathan then scrapes down the background area and sides of the carving to create the striking visual contrast of between the matte and polished surfaces. He learned to make pottery from his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001) and continues in the family legacy of extraordinary pottery created using traditional methods.  He 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. 

4.5"w x 8.5"h

$9800.00 - SOLD

Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara  

Nathan is one of the few potters who can create an aesthetically pleasing, proportional wedding vase.  However, it is a shape that he rarely makes, as this is about the third one in ten years! Amazingly, the entire surface of this piece is fully polished, including the handle!  Note the spouts with the squared off lip, which is reminiscent of the shape on the spouts of Margaret Tafoya's wedding vases.  The design on this piece is a double avanyu, one on each side.  They are rising over storm clouds which are slipped with a micaceous clay slip.  On the sides they are joined together with a kiva step pattern which is also slipped with mica.  The area above the avanyu is fully carved and has sloping, gentle wind pattern.  This is a wonderful vase with a perfect polish and elegant flow of design.  Nathan uses native clay for his pottery and also traditionally fires each piece.  He learned to make pottery from his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001) and continues in the family legacy of extraordinary pottery created using traditional methods.  He has been written about in books including The Art of Clay, Beyond Traditions and 14 Families in Pueblo Pottery. 

6.5"w x 10"h

$16,000.00

Nathan Youngblood - Santa Clara  

Breathtaking!  This jar is one of those pieces by Nathan which reflects his exceptional ability as a potter.  This is one of those pieces which must be held.  From the round shoulder, the slightly turned out lip, the polish inside the neck and the slight indention in the base to the smoothly polished surface, this jar is a tactile marvel.  Taking a step back, the jar itself is beautifully proportioned and speaks of the classic water jars made by Nathan's grandmother, Margaret Tafoya. The double shoulder with the rounded edge and the bear paw on the neck, all remind the viewer of the past.  Nathan has put his own touch on this jar with the deeply carved designs.  On the neck, opposite the bear paw, is a cloud formation. Below the shoulder, there is the "walking bear paw" design (directly below the bear print in the neck!) and then the design continues with cloud and rain imagery.  The firing on the jar is perfect, with a "water-like" appearance to the shine, which is a result of both amazing polishing but also perfect timing in the outdoor firing!  Nathan uses native clay for his pottery and also traditionally fires each piece.  He learned to make pottery from his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001) and continues in the family legacy of extraordinary pottery created using traditional methods.  He 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. 

7"w x 7.75"h

$9400.00