Garcia, Tina – Large Red Jar with Three Bear Paws (1990s)

Tina Garcia was well known for her focus on traditional shape and plainware Santa Clara pottery. This is one of her most iconic forms with a round shoulder and short neck.  The jar is highly polished and fired to a deep red coloration.  There are three bear paws impressed into the clay before it was stone polished.  The Bear Paw is part of a story where a bear led the Pueblo people to water during a drought.  The jar is fully stone polished to a glossy shine and fired red.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Tina Garcia”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

Brand

Garcia, Tina (1957-2005)

Tina Garcia was a sister of Greg Garcia, Virginia Garcia and John Garcia.  She was a granddaughter of Severa Tafoya.  Tina won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Market. She was known for her use of traditional shapes and her exquisite polishing. Her pottery can be found at the Heard Museum, the Denver Art Museum and other museums around the country.