Very Large Globular Black Polished Carved Pottery Jar by Margaret Tafoya [SOLD]

This is an extraordinary stone-polished black carved jar by Margaret Tafoya of Santa Clara Pueblo. This magnificent early piece, probably from the 1960s, was coil formed in native clay over which was applied a red slip which was then painstakingly burnished with a polishing stone and fired in a reduction firing resulting in a beautiful black finish.

The jar features a design motif carved into the upper portion of the body. In a 3-1/2-inch band around the vessel is the carved elements that meander into various shapes of curves, squares, triangles and other geometries.  The remainder of the jar is undecorated and displays its high burnish to be admired.

This is a superb example of Margaret's carved pottery pieces. It has an extremely fine burnish and a black firing. The jar is globular in shape from the base to the area of the neck, then curves as it goes upward.   It is signed on the underside Margaret Tafoya Santa Clara Pue.

Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) Maria Margarita Tafoya - Corn Blossom was considered a master of the art of Santa Clara Pueblo pottery making and made deeply carved blackware and redware vessels which are highly valued by collectors. She was the last of the matriarchs of the early 20th century pueblo potters and well-known for her polished blackware pottery with bear paw designs—a good luck symbol.

Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) Maria Margarita Tafoya - Corn Blossom was born August 13, 1904 at Santa Clara Pueblo, Margaret learned her skills from her parents, Sara Fina Gutierrez Tafoya and Jose Geronimo Tafoya, who were expert potters; some of her pieces are inspired by tales she heard from her parents and grandparents. Margaret and her mother were known for their ability to make unusually large storage jars and water jars. She was married to husband Alcario Tafoya (1900 - 1995).

Condition: Structurally in excellent condition. There was one small burnish mark on the mid-body, measuring about one-inch diameter, which has been professionally restored to its original condition.

Provenance: from a private collection

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

Relative Links: Margaret Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo, Teresita Naranjo, Southwest Indian Pottery