Gonzales, Barbara – “Swish Pot” with Avanyu Spider and 7 Inset Stones (1987)

3"w x 2"h

$ 350.00

Barbara Gonzales is a great-great granddaughter of Maria Martinez.  She is known for her innovative pottery, which combines etched designs along with inset stones.  This is one of her “Swish Pots”.  She said that while they are basically a seedpot pot, she has put a small bead inside them.  She says you can “swish” the bead around and make a wish”.  The top of the seedpot is fully polished and there is a cloud and avanyu.  On the side, there is a flower, spider, and cloud design.  The flower has an inset piece of turquoise.  The spider has an inset piece of coral.  Barbara says she uses spiders as they are good luck symbols, and the coral is a female spider. The bottom of the piece is signed in the clay, “Than-Moo-Whe”, which is her name in Tewa.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.