WOW!  This is a spectacular jar by Margaret Tafoya from the 1970s.  It is one of our favorite shapes that she made.  It is called a “gourd bowl”.  The name comes from the small gourd “shards” that are used to smooth the inside of the pottery when it is being made. The pieces of gourd are similar in shape to the indentions on the shoulder of the piece.  This jar has TEN evenly spaced gourd intentions.  They are also technically difficult as the indentions are areas pushed into the clay.  I took a photo of this jar from the top just to show how deep the indentions are on the side!  Of course, the entire piece has to be polished at one time, which adds to the difficulty in the piece. This jar is highly polished and has a beautiful shine.  The additional highlight of the shape is how the various curves on the surface reflect the light.  The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Margaret Tafoya”.  Simply a spectacular jar and piece of history by this important Pueblo potter!

 The Story of the Gourd Pot  “Remember the story about the gourd.  The gourd was asking Mother Clay, why she was just used for shaping the pottery. Why was she not given her own design? So she was allowed to create her own design.  That’s why we have this shape, with the flat sides.”  Mary Esther Archuleta