This is an iconic large round shoulder jar by Margaret Tafoya.  It is from the 1970s. The jar is coil-built and carved around the shoulder.  The shape is striking with the round shoulder and very small neck.   The design is a fluid one that has mountains, rain, clouds, and lightning.  The style of the design tells us that it was designed by Margaret.  The piece is deeply carved and highly polished.  It was fired a deep black coloration. The areas above and below the carving are fully polished. The jar was fired a deep black coloration.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Margaret Tafoya”.  The jar also has a “Best of Show” Ribbon from the 1996 “American Indian and Western Relic Show” in Pasadena California. The ribbon is signed by Theda Bassman who is known for her books on Hopi Katsinas.  Definitely an iconic jar with great provenance!

“If you feel like working with clay, Mother Clay is always willing to help you. If you don’t feel like working with it, Mother Clay knows it—what is in your heart—that today you don’t feel like doing the work and so it won’t work. It won’t come out good. Every time you gonna take the clay you have to talk to Mother Clay [and think] how she has carried our people from so many many years back.” —Margaret Tafoya, 1986, Spoken Through Clay