Tall Black Santa Clara Pueblo Carved Wedding Vessel [SOLD]

One must wonder how a pueblo mother with ten children and four grandchildren could possibly fine time to make pottery, but Margaret Tafoya did. The mid-1950s, a time when she made the large storage jars and larger wedding vessels such as this one, was a busy time for Margaret and her husband, Alcario.

During this time, Margaret and her family spent their summers—from Memorial Day to Labor Day—at the Royal Gorge near Canon 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 wedding vessel is typical of the tall and slim graceful style that Margaret perfected. The twin spouts are almost straight up rather than tilting outward as most potters make. Simple carving is confined to the upper portion of the body of the wedding vase, both on front and back. The base is signed faintly in pencil but the signature is discernable.

Condition: The wedding vase is in good condition. There are some scratches here and there, mostly confined to the lower body of the vase.

Provenance: New York City client