Archuleta, Mary Ester – Red and Tan Bowl with Avanyu & Feathers (1970’s)

6.5"w x 6.75"h

$ 1,600.00

This is a classically shaped jar by Mary Ester Archuleta.  The piece has straight sides and a slightly rounded neck.  The top and bottom are fully polished red.  The center band is deeply carved. There is an avanyu on one side which is polished red.  The opposite side has seven feathers which are polished tan.  The tan is the natural color of the clay and always difficult to achieve this coloration.  There is also the traditional cream-colored slip painted into the carved areas.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Mary E. Archuleta.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Mary is the second youngest daughter of Margaret Tafoya.  She married into San Juan Pueblo in the late 1960’s and created most of her pieces in the San Juan inspired style.  It was her marriage at San Juan and reviving pottery there, which reminded Margaret about how she learned to polish the tan slip when her brother had married and moved there years earlier.