This new jar by Linda Tafoya-Sanchez is complex in design.  The jar is coil-built, carved, stone-polished and traditionally fired.  The jar has a round shape with a fluted or “raindrop” rim.  There are fifteen carved turtles on the jar.  Each has a different carved design on the back.  Some of them also have inset stones on their “shells” including two with turquoise and one with coral.  However, take a closer look!  Each one of the turtles has a tiny inset bead for the eye!  While each turtle is highly polished, the background area is slipped with mica for contrast.  Linda says of the use of turtles in her pottery:

“The turtles are the prayer and hope to bring some rain.  There is a Turtle Dance they do in San Juan (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo). You will see the turtle shells on the backs of their legs. Sometimes they don’t stay in the same direction and they start twisting, just like I’ve placed them in various directions on the pot.  Turtles are my favorite. I’ve always been told turtles represent moisture. These to me are happily playing in that much needed dampness. Thankful for the blessings of the rain.”  ” Linda Tafoya-Sanchez, Spoken Through Clay

The piece was traditionally fired a deep black coloration.  It is signed on the bottom, “Linda Tafoya-Sanchez”.