Linda Tafoya Sanchez Black Polished and Micaceous Matte Design Jar

Linda Tafoya Sanchez: Blackware Masterpiece with Avanyu Design

This captivating carved black pottery jar by Linda Tafoya Sanchez (b. 1962) of Santa Clara Pueblo is a spectacular blend of deep Pueblo tradition and contemporary artistry. Measuring 7 inches high and 8 ½ inches wide, the jar's beautifully rounded, bulbous form culminates in a narrow opening fitted with a custom lid.

Flawless Polish and Dynamic Carving

The surface of the jar is a testament to Linda's masterful craftsmanship: the polished blackware is flawlessly smooth and highly reflective, achieved through meticulous burnishing of the natural clay.

The jar is encircled by a dynamic and powerful central band featuring a pair of Avanyu Water Serpents chasing each other around the vessel. This deeply carved Avanyu band is framed both above and below by a contrasting band of shimmering black micaceous clay, adding a luxurious texture and subtle metallic sparkle.

Further enriching the design, stylized reeds flow vertically around the jar: a group reaching up from the base and another grouping just below the opening. The smooth polished band around the rim elegantly supports the custom lid, which is finished with a striking twisted handle.

Contemporary Legacy

Handmade using only traditional methods and natural clay, this piece exemplifies the refined artistry for which Linda Tafoya Sanchez (granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya) is celebrated. Known for expanding beyond pure blackware by blending burnished, matte, and micaceous finishes, Linda is a highly awarded artist with honors from the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum. Her stature is further confirmed by significant commissions, including a piece created for the Prince of Spain. The jar is signed on the bottom: Linda Tafoya Sanchez, Santa Clara Pueblo.

Condition: new

Provenance: this Linda Tafoya Sanchez Black Polished and Micaceous Matte Design 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