Linda Tafoya Sanchez “Black Cherry” Jar

Linda Tafoya-Sanchez has created a new innovation in Santa Clara Pueblo pottery through a unique firing process that results in darker red pottery, ones she describes as black cherry, deep plum, deep red cherry, and other such designations. This exquisite "Black Cherry" jar ranks among those most desirable. Additionally, this jar is smaller in size than the previous ones she delivered to us. It is a breathtaking fusion of ancestral technique and daring personal innovation, and represents a new frontier in Santa Clara Pueblo pottery.

Although Linda is using a uniquely-discovered firing technique to produce these marvelous deep red colors, she still utilizes time-honored methods  of coil-building and hand-carving. Portions of the deep red clay are meticulously stone-polished to a mirror-like high gloss. These polished sections play against the earthy, shimmering texture of micaceous clay, creating a sophisticated interplay of light and shadow. Her carved designs reflect traditional Pueblo styles.

Linda Tafoya-Sanchez (b. 1962) carries one of the most prestigious lineages in Pueblo art. As the granddaughter of the legendary Margaret Tafoya and student of her aunt Mary Ester Archuleta, Linda's foundation is unimpeachable. She has expanded the family legacy beyond traditional blackware, blending diverse finishes and micaceous textures that have redefined contemporary standards.

Condition: Newly finished by the artist, delivered to us on 28 May 2026.

Provenance: this Linda Tafoya Sanchez "Black Cherry" Jar is  directly from the artist

Recommended Reading: Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Lee and Betty Tafoya, Margaret Tafoya, Contemporary Southwest Indian Pottery, Linda Tafoya Sanchez, Mary Ester Archuleta