Roxanne Swentzell is a granddaughter of Rose Naranjo and part of one of the most innovative families at Santa Clara Pueblo.  Roxanne continues to be one of the pivotal Pueblo artists, and her work continues to be among the most dynamic and innovative in contemporary figural pottery.  This is one of her classic clay Koshari figures. The koshari are clowns that appear at the Pueblos. In “Extraordinary People”, the book on Roxanne’s figurative pottery, they wrote:

“One of the main roles of Clowns during PUeblo dances and other gatherings is to teach lessons about life. CLowns understand human nature very well.  As symbolized by their black and white stripes, they represent the state of balance between opposites.  But they don’t teach directly.  Instead, they imitate the kinds of behavior they see all around them in the world.”

This figure is complex in clay work. The feet are almost touching and the hands have each figure articulated.  There is a look of intensity and kindness on the face of the koshari.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed in the clay, “ROX”.