Linda Tafoya-Sanchez is a granddaughter of noted potter Margaret Tafoya and she is known for her carved pottery.  This plate has 36 carved feathers.  Each feather emanates out from the central medallion where she has carved a bear paw.  The feathers alternate between polished and micaceous slipped.  Take a closer look at each feather, as they are very tightly cut into the clay and the lines are amazingly straight!  Linda was among the first Santa Clara potters to begin using the mica as a design element after she was given some by her San Juan Pueblo in-laws.  The plate is signed on the bottom, “Linda Tafoya-Sanchez”.