Shirley Tafoya was the youngest daughter of Margaret Tafoya and known for her miniature pottery.  This bowl is from 1985.  It is very deeply carved with a water serpent encircling the piece.  The entire surface is fully polished.  Shirley painted the eye and the mouth of the avanyu, much like Margaret would do on her pottery.  As the bowl is turned the body represents the clouds and waves of the water.  The water serpent is a classic Santa Clara design telling the story of how the avanyu saved the village from a flood.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Shirley Cactus Blossom Tafoya”. A classic of Tafoya Family pottery!