This is one of the most difficult pieces I had to find by Virginia Ebelacker for the book, “Born of Fire”.  Virginia’s more classic carved and polished pieces were easy to acquire, but she did not make a lot of the plates with the silver insets. I thought it was fascinating how she had taught herself to be a silversmith and then applied it to her pottery.

“She [Virginia Ebelacker] was among the first Pueblo potters int he early 1970’s to inset turquoise set in silver bezels into carved sections of her pottery to complement the design.”  Born of Fire, p. 126

This plate is an interesting design with a bear paw in the center, which then has a carved area which is inset with turquoise set in a silver bezel. The bear paw is surrounded by a star pattern.  The back is matte and signed, “Virginia Ebelacker”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is published in Born of Fire on page 125.  Virginia’s sons Richard and James were both known for their distinctive large pottery and today her grandson, Jason, is also creating exceptional pottery.