Margaret Tafoya Santa Clara Pueblo Deeply Carved Blackware Jar

Margaret Tafoya's Masterpiece: A Testament to Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery

This jar, with its lovely and substantial shape, is a testament to the mastery of Margaret Tafoya, a renowned artisan of Santa Clara Pueblo pottery. The piece is heavily walled, a design choice that allows for deep incisions of carved geometrics. A wide mid-band serves as the canvas for these carvings, featuring two repeating motifs that add a layer of complexity to the design.

The jar's generous curve gives way to kiva steps, a traditional Pueblo architectural element, which continue around the jar, sculpted into an intricate pattern of curves and rectangles. The incised work is at least a centimeter deep, imbuing the jar with a sturdy and long-lasting energy.

The clay used for this jar, sourced from Santa Clara Pueblo, could have been red, black, or even an in-between shade. However, the artist chose to smother the kiln fire, a process that deprives the clay of oxygen and turns it from red to black, a coveted transformation in pottery making. Every part of the vessel, except for the interior and the face of the carved indentations, is polished to perfection.

This jar, skillfully crafted by Margaret Tafoya, could serve as the centerpiece of any home's collection of spectacular items. Tafoya was considered a master of Santa Clara Pueblo pottery making, creating deeply carved blackware and redware vessels that are highly valued by collectors. As the last of the matriarchs of the early 20th-century Pueblo potters, she was well-known for her polished blackware pottery with bear paw designs, a symbol of good luck. This jar is not just a piece of pottery, but a tribute to Tafoya's enduring legacy in the art of pottery making.

Margaret Tafoya (1904 - 2001) Maria Margarita Tafoya - Corn Blossom was born August 13, 1904, at Santa Clara Pueblo. Margaret learned her skills from her parents, Sara Fina Gutierrez Tafoya and Jose Geronimo Tafoya, who were expert potters; some of her pieces were inspired by tales she heard from her parents and grandparents. Margaret and her mother were known for their ability to make unusually large storage jars and water jars. She was married to husband Alcario Tafoya (1900 - 1995). Margaret held a firm belief that the secret to her exceptional pottery technique lay in her polishing stones, heirlooms passed down through generations. These stones, steeped in history and tradition, were instrumental in shaping her unique style.

Margaret was not just a potter; she was a mentor. She imparted her pottery-making skills to her nine children, ensuring the art form would continue to thrive. Among her protégés were Virginia Ebelacker, Mela Youngblood, Toni Roller, LuAnn Tafoya, and Mary Esther Archuleta, each of whom carried forward their mother's legacy in their own unique ways.

Margaret's journey with pottery began under the tutelage of her parents. She embraced the longstanding tradition, but she was not content to merely continue it. She sought to enhance it, infusing her own innovative touches into each piece she crafted. This blend of tradition and innovation became the hallmark of her family's legacy.

Her deeply carved blackware, such as the vessel in question, is a testament to her artistic vision. It is said that her husband, Alcario Tafoya, often lent his hands to the process. After the pottery had dried overnight, he would assist with the intricate carving, adding another layer of depth and detail to the pieces.

Margaret's story is one of tradition, innovation, and family. It's a story etched into every piece of pottery she created, a story that continues to unfold in the hands of her children.

Condition: this Margaret Tafoya jar has a couple of very small scratches and is in good condition. 

Provenance: this Margaret Tafoya Santa Clara Pueblo Deeply Carved Blackware Jar came from a private collection of a man who lives in Texas and was gifted to him in 1963. 

Recommended Reading: MARGARET TAFOYA: A Tewa Potter's Heritage and Legacy by Mary Ellen and Laurence Blair

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