Gonzales, Barbara – “Swish Pot” with Spider, Feathers, Flower and Inset Stones

Barbara Gonzales is a great-great granddaughter of Maria Martinez.  She is known for her innovative pottery, which combines etched designs along with inset stones.  This is one of her “Swish Pots”.  She said that while they are basically a seedpot pot, she has put a small bead inside them.  She says you can “swish” the bead around and make a wish”.  The top of the seedpot is fully polished  There is a spider on the top with two inset turquoise.  Surrounding the spider are feathers that have black-and-sienna highlights.  The piece has inset coral and turquoise.  The side has a small incised flower with a piece of coral.  Barbara says she uses spiders as they are good luck symbols, and the turquoise is a male spider. The bottom of the piece is signed in the clay, “Than-Moo-Whe”, which is her name in Tewa.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

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Gonzales, Barbara (b. 1947)

Barbara Gonzales is a great-granddaughter of Maria Martinez, and the granddaughter of noted potters Santana & Adam. Barbara learned to make pottery from Maria and Santana and created her own distinctive style in the 1970s. The use of spiders dominates much of her work and the spiders are all seen as symbols of good luck. Her pottery is signed on the bottom, "Tahn Moo Whe" which is her name in Tewa. Barbara has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Indian Market, and other events. Her work can be found in museums nationwide and she is also featured in various books, including "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez".