Tahbo, Mark – Plainware Jar with Fireclouds (2016)
$ 1,000.00
Mark Tahbo learned to make pottery from his great-grandmother, Grace Chapella. His pieces reflect the remarkable symmetry and thin walls of an excellent potter. This jar is highly polished and traditionally fired, ranging in color from white to a dark orange. Mark was one of the pioneers of reviving the “blushes” on Hopi-Tewa pottery and this is a perfect example of how a plainware piece can appear so stunning! It is signed on the bottom with his name a a pipe representing that he is Tobacco Clan. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
Mark told me about his plainware pottery:
“My first plainware pieces were done years ago. I wasn’t sure that these would be well received and gallery owner Charles King took a chance with them. They were an immediate hit! I don’t do very much plainware for it has to be flawless. The surface has to be free of all dips or air holes and the shape has to be elegant on its own, as there is no design to distract the eye. The colors achieved on the pots are truly amazing. Each piece is fired outdoors using sheep dung and coals. I love it!”
Out of stock
Mark Tahbo learned to make pottery from his great-grandmother, Grace Chapella. His pieces reflect the remarkable symmetry and thin walls of an excellent potter. This jar is highly polished and traditionally fired, ranging in color from white to a dark orange. Mark was one of the pioneers of reviving the “blushes” on Hopi-Tewa pottery and this is a perfect example of how a plainware piece can appear so stunning! It is signed on the bottom with his name a pipe representing that he is Tobacco Clan. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
Mark told me about his plainware pottery:
“My first plainware pieces were done years ago. I wasn’t sure that these would be well received and gallery owner Charles King took a chance with them. They were an immediate hit! I don’t do very much plainware for it has to be flawless. The surface has to be free of all dips or air holes and the shape has to be elegant on its own, as there is no design to distract the eye. The colors achieved on the pots are truly amazing. Each piece is fired outdoors using sheep dung and coals. I love it!”
Brand
Tahbo, Mark (1958-2017)
Mark Tahbo
Mark Tahbo was a Hopi-Tewa member of the Tobacco Clan. He had been an active potter since 1978. He learned to make pottery from his great-grandmother, Grace Chapella. His sisters Diana and Pam were also potters. Mark was influential in the early 1990s in recognizing Hopi pottery's traditional firing and keeping it as a practice among Hopi-Tewa.
Mark had won numerous awards for his pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Indian Market, and Gallup Ceremonials. In 1991, he won the Overall Prize at Santa Fe Indian Market. In 1992 he was awarded Best of Division at the Heard Museum Indian Fair. Awards continued to be presented to him in 1993 and 1994. His pottery is featured in books such as "Talking with the Clay" and "Collecting Authentic Indian Art." He is remembered as one of the exceptional traditional innovators of Hopi pottery. His pieces reflect the remarkable symmetry and thin walls of an excellent potter. The designs are painted using native clay slips and beeweed plants for the black.
Sadly, Mark passed away in December 2017. We were lucky to work with him at King Galleries for over 20 years. His creativity and artistic genius will be missed.