This is one of the largest pieces we have had by Severa Tafoya.  She was a sister of Van Gutierrez and her children included Angela Baca, Tonita Tafoya, and Lydia Tafoya.  Other direct descendants include Paul Speckled Rock, Ray Tafoya, Tina Garcia, Greg Garcia, Robert Cleto Nichols, Jennifer Tafoya, and Jason Garcia. She was known for her polychrome and carved pottery along with her more traditional shapes and designs.  This wedding vase has a round body and two extended necks. Thre are two bear paws impressed into the clay before it was polished.  Each potter at Santa Clara had a distinctive style of a bear paw. Note how Severa has a paw with long, sharp fingers.  The entire piece is fully polished and fired a deep black.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Severa”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.