Trammel, Jennie – Red Bowl with Mesa and Rain Designs (1980’s)

This is a stunning bowl by Jennie Trammel.  She was a daughter of Margaret Tafoya.  Over the years Jennie did not make a lot of pottery as she lived a very private life and was virtually never involved in markets or gallery shows.  However, she created exceptional pottery with classic shapes and designs which were distinctive to her work.  Each piece was coil built and it was the carving, with the rounded edges, which remains a visual key to her work.  This is one of her very deeply carved pieces.  The bowl has four sections with a “rain over the mesa” design.  The edges are rounded and the background is slipped with the traditional white clay. The bowl is very highly polished a deep red coloration.  She even polished the inside of the rim!  The bowl was traditionally fired to this deep red coloration.  It is signed, “Jennie Trammel” in the clay on bottom.   This bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

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Trammel, Jennie (1929-2010)

Jennie Trammel was the third child of noted potter Margaret Tafoya. She learned to make pottery from her mother and also from her grandmother, Sara Fina Tafoya. Over the years she did not make a lot of pottery as she lived a very private life and was virtually never involved in markets or gallery shows. However, she created stunning pottery with classic shapes and designs which were distinctive to her work. Each piece was coil built and it was the carving, with the rounded edges, which was a visual key to her work. Jennie's work can be found in books such as "Born of Fire" and also in museums around the country. As she made such a small amount during her career it is always difficult to find her work.