Santa Clara Pueblo Black Wedding Vessel [SOLD]

Margaret Tafoya is a name all collectors of 20th century pueblo pottery know very well. She and her family were and are major potters of blackware. Margaret is associated with having made very large vessels but she also made smaller items as well. This black carved wedding vase is less than 12 inches in height and is one of hers produced in the mid-1970s or 1980s.

The design is a traditional Avanyu realized by carving out the clay surrounding the water serpent. Below the Avanyu are waves reflecting water in which the water serpent resides.

The wedding vase is signed with the name of Margaret Tafoya but it is practically worn away. It can be discerned when viewing in bright light or sun.

Condition: good condition with some minor scratches

Recommended Reading: Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya by Charles King, et al

Provenance: from a family collection of clients from Ohio