This is a striking large bowl by Betty Tafoya.  She was taught to make pottery by her husband, Lee Tafoya, who was a son of Margaret Tafoya.  While they often collaborated on pottery throughout his career, she also made pieces on her own.  This large bowl has a very round shape.  It is deeply carved with a water serpent (avanyu) that encircles the piece.  Note how not only is the top rim polished, but even the inside rim of the bowl is fully polished!  The entire piece is fully polished.  It’s exciting to see a piece at this scale with such strong designs and great polishing. The bowl was fired a deep black.  Betty was well known for the polishing on her pottery and taught that artistic skill to her daughter, Linda Tafoya.  The photos at the end are of Betty and Lee Tafoya, courtesy of Stephanie Tafoya, their granddaughter.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Betty Tafoya”.