Tafoya, Jennifer – Wide Jar with Fish and Avanyu

5"w x 2.5"h

$ 2,800.00

Jennifer Tafoya is known for her intricately etched pottery.  Each piece is coil built, stone polished and traditionally fired. The designs are etched into the clay and the additional clay colors are added.  The wide jar is very highly polished.  On the top shoulder, there are six trout etched into the clay.   There are four different types and each is in a different state of motion.  Look closely at the background and there are a series of small circles in various sizes.  These are “bubbles” flowing past the fish and they are slipped with micaceous clay.  The contrast of the mica, polish, and clay colors make the jar visually dynamic. Near the neck are five very small dragonflies!  When the jar is turned over, there is a large avanyu (water serpent), which is very traditional to Santa Clara and contains a variety of water designs.  The jar shape, size, and designs work together perfectly on this piece.  All the various colors are derived from natural clay slips.  The piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Jennifer Tafoya”.  Jennifer continues to be one of the leading innovative potters working today!