Santa Clara Pueblo Black Double Shoulder Jar, circa 1900 [SOLD]

No pueblo produced a vessel shape identical to this except the finest potters of Santa Clara Pueblo. It is a vessel shape that identifies itself as having originated there. It is one of the most beautiful and graceful shapes of any Tewa wares. It most assuredly is a Sara Fina Tafoya piece. It exhibits her hand in every respect—shape, quality, polish, and rim. The vessel walls are extremely thin—evidence of an excellent and experienced potter.

The double shoulder just above the widest part of the vessel is a trait of Sara Fina as are the five bear paw impressions around the neck.

The entire vessel is slipped and stone polished and fired to a beautiful dark black. The high degree of polish is remarkable. The bottom is concave and the rim rolls out gracefully. It has been stated that dimples around the rim represent rain.

There were lateral and vertical cracks around the widest part of the body of the jar that have been professionally restored. The workmanship by the restorer is exceptional. It is very difficult to repair blackware.

ATTRIBUTION: This jar has been attributed to the hands of Sara Fina Tafoya by me. I know of no other potter at the time that did such magnificent work. I have taken similar jars to Toni Roller in the past and she has authenticated them as the work of her grandmother, so I am confident in my attribution on this jar. —Alexander E. Anthony, Jr.