Artist Media Series
Living Artists
Historic
Tafoya-Sanchez, Linda – 10″ Tall Storage Jar with 68 Carved Feathers and 8 Carved Panels
10.5"w x 10.5"h
$ 4,400.00
This is a massive jar by Linda Tafoya-Sanchez. This jar has a round shape with a short neck creating a stylized storage jar shape. The interesting aspect of this shape is the amount of volume there is for carving and polishing! The neck of the jar has 34 carved feathers that alternate between polished and matte. The base has another 34 carved feathers, and all are fully polished. It is the center of the jar that is an interesting change for Linda’s pottery. They have a more fluid connection between each panel as they tell a story. There are two panels that encompass an avanyu. In front of the avanyu are wind, clouds, and a mesa design. After the mesa is a lightning pattern. Note how the various panels create larger scenes. There is a vine and flower design along with a butterfly in a separate section. Finally, there is a stylized bird with waves leading back to the avanyu. The carving in the panels is deep and complex in style. They are all fully polished. There is A LOT of carving and design space on this piece. The jar was traditionally fired to a glassy black coloration. It is exciting to see an artist not just create a piece of this size, but to fully carve and polish it to create an overall impact that is both dramatic and beautiful. It is signed on the bottom, “Linda Tafoya-Sanchez”.
Out of stock
Description
This is a massive jar by Linda Tafoya-Sanchez. This jar has a round shape with a short neck creating a stylized storage jar shape. The interesting aspect of this shape is the amount of volume there is for carving and polishing! The neck of the jar has 34 carved feathers that alternate between polished and matte. The base has another 34 carved feathers, and all are fully polished. It is the center of the jar that is an interesting change for Linda’s pottery. They have a more fluid connection between each panel as they tell a story. There are two panels that encompass an avanyu. In front of the avanyu are wind, clouds, and a mesa design. After the mesa is a lightning pattern. Note how the various panels create larger scenes. There is a vine and flower design along with a butterfly in a separate section. Finally, there is a stylized bird with waves leading back to the avanyu. The carving in the panels is deep and complex in style. They are all fully polished. There is A LOT of carving and design space on this piece. The jar was traditionally fired to a glassy black coloration. It is exciting to see an artist not just create a piece of this size, but to fully carve and polish it to create an overall impact that is both dramatic and beautiful. It is signed on the bottom, “Linda Tafoya-Sanchez”.
The story of the Water Serpent as told by Toni Roller:
“The water serpent, we were told, it represents life. It represents the water, which is important to life, to people, plants, and animals. The water design is very important to put on pots to honor that serpent. We used to ask, “What is the water serpent?” We were told the water serpent is in the rivers, the big rivers. At one time, when my mother was young, there were no bridges to cross over the Rio Grande. They were always told that if you see a water serpent, your life is going to be long. She did see one laying on the rock. She said it was huge, snakelike, and she said she just stared at it and couldn’t holler for anyone else to see. If you look at the serpent design, it has all the weather designs. The lightning on the tongue of the serpent, and there are mountain designs and rain designs and all the weather elements. .” Toni Roller, Spoken Through Clay
Learn More
