Miniature Seed Pot with Fish Design by Rosemary Apple Blossom Lonewolf [SOLD]

This miniature sgraffito seed pot was created by Rosemary "Apple Blossom" Lonewolf of Santa Clara Pueblo. At just over an inch on both height and diameter, this is a true miniature piece, which makes the quality of its carved designs most impressive. It displays the typical polished red slip over tan clay, with the tan tone becoming visible in the carved areas.

A design band of rectangular spirals circles the underbody. Water splashes from its upper edge and a fish emerges, curving up and over the top of the pot. Behind it, a tiny dragonfly appears in the center of a design that could be either a sun or a flower. There is a great deal of action here, especially when the size of the piece is taken into consideration. This is a beautiful example of Apple Blossom's work.  The base of the pot is signed Apple Blossom, H-11 1979.

Rosemary Apple Blossom Lonewolf (1954- ) is a potter from Santa Clara Pueblo. As a daughter of Joseph Lonewolf, she works in the style of her dad and her aunt, Grace Medicine Flower. Lonewolf attended St. Mary's High School in Colorado Springs, CO, Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO, and Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. She began creating pottery in 1972, under the tutelage of her father. Her works have been featured in prominent publications, and she has received many notable awards for her work.

Sgraffito Carving: A method of pottery design known as sgraffito carving is relatively new in pueblo pottery traditions. Rather than deep carving, as is more traditional at Santa Clara Pueblo, sgraffito is achieved by scraping the vessel with a sharp instrument to achieve a shallow depth. The pottery is formed in the traditional coil method, slipped with a watery clay and stone polished before the sgraffito carving commences.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Miniature Seed Pot with Fish Design by Rosemary Apple Blossom Lonewolf is from a private collection

Reference and Recommended Reading: The Pottery Jewels of Joseph Lonewolf by Jon Young.

TAGS: Margaret Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo, pottery, Agapita Silva Tafoya, Camilio Tafoya, Rick Dillingham, Joseph Lonewolf