Magnificent Tall Black Jar by Matriarch Margaret Tafoya

This blackware jar by Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) Maria Margarita Tafoya - Corn Blossom, the matriarch of Santa Clara pottery, stands nearly 16 inches tall and embodies the refined elegance and technical mastery for which she is renowned. The vessel is striking in both presence and proportion, with a beautifully balanced form that swells gracefully from its underbody to a broad shoulder, then transitions seamlessly into a gently tapered neck.

Carved around the midsection is a powerful depiction of the Avanyu, or Water Serpent — a revered symbol in Pueblo culture representing water and its life-giving force. The placement of the carving at the midpoint of the jar emphasizes the symmetry and balance of the overall design, while the fluid, rhythmic lines of the serpent add visual movement around the piece.

Tafoya's hallmark precision is evident throughout — from the vessel's construction and polished finish to the crisp, confident carving. The stone-polished surface radiates a deep, lustrous sheen, drawing the eye to the carved Avanyu and enhancing the vessel's sculptural quality.

In excellent condition, the jar shows only a single surface scratch — an expected and minor mark for a work of its age. It is signed by Margaret Tafoya on the bottom, affirming its authenticity and placing it firmly among some of the finest examples of her work. Margaret Tafoya, known also by her Tewa name Corn Blossom, was a master of form and finish, and this jar stands as a testament to her legacy. It is no overstatement to consider this a masterpiece.

Condition: excellent condition with one minor one-inch-long scratch on the neck

Provenance: This Magnificent Tall Black Jar by Matriarch Margaret Tafoyais from a client of Adobe Gallery.

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

Reference of Tafoya Family tree and biographical information: Family Tree 1, page 137 of Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Southwest Indian Pottery, Sara Fina Gutierrez Tafoya, Virginia Ebelacker, Mela Youngblood, Toni Roller, LuAnn Tafoya, Margaret Tafoya