Over the course of a career that spanned from 1967-82, Tony Da helped change the world of Pueblo pottery.   He was among the first to begin etching into the surface of the pottery (sgraffito), adding stones, hei-shi and then began creating all matte carved vessels.  His pottery today is considered to be among the most sought after by collectors and museum alike.  While he started out as a painter, he made his first pottery in 1967 and it’s first public showing was at Gallup Ceremonials of that year.  The last photo here is one of Tony in 1967 at Gallup Ceremonials at his booth.  The pottery ranges from bears and candlesticks to horno ovens and plates.  The horno oven identified with the arrow in the photo is the one that is currently featured here!  It is certainly a rarity to have a piece of his work that is a significant part of the historic record.  As well, almost every other piece in the photo is now in a museum collection!  The horno oven is fully polished and has a very high shape and a near gunmetal appearance from the firing.  There is a small rub on the front edge which can be seen in the photos otherwise it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “D’A”, which was his earliest signature with the use of the apostrophe.  As well, I left on the sticker that says “1963”, which is incorrect as he was in the Navy at that time and had yet to make pottery.  It also reflects that until the publication of “The Art and Life of Tony Da” there was not an accurate assessment of when pieces were made.  It’s nice to now have more knowledge and perspective of his influential pottery and this unique piece is certainly an innovative example of his early work.