Santa Clara Red Swirl Melon Jar by Margaret Tafoya [SOLD]

It was during the 1950s that pueblo pottery underwent a revival in interest by collectors and tourists. Following the lean years of World War II, both from a buyer's standpoint and that of the seller as well, the 1950s saw a renaissance. Americans had sacrificed during the war, skimping and saving for the war effort and now gasoline and tires were again available and travel was possible.

The Southwest was once again of interest and New Mexico saw a tremendous influx of tourists willing and anxious to purchase souvenirs to take back home. Fortunately for the pueblo potters, there was great interest in their pottery.

Starting sometime in the 1950s, Margaret Tafoya made smaller pottery jars and bowls for sale to tourists visiting the pueblo as well as to take to Royal Gorge for the summer. She and her family spent their summers—from Memorial Day to Labor Day—at the Royal Gorge near Cañon City, Colorado, selling pottery and entertaining the tourists with dances and permitting them to photograph the family members—all for a fee. She had made enough pottery before going to Royal Gorge to take with her to sell. She did not make pottery on site.

This highly burnished red melon jar with swirling ribs is of this era of her work.  The red slip is the deep red color of the older pottery which is darker than the red slip used in today's pottery.  I understand from a potter of note that the red clay used by the men in face decorations is darker than that used for pottery and that this darker color slip was achieved by adding some of the face slip to the pottery slip. 

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from a Santa Fe resident

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