Santa Clara Pueblo Black Jar with a pair of Avanyu

The Serpent's Embrace: A Masterpiece by Linda Tafoya Sanchez

Immerse yourself in the captivating allure of this exquisite blackware jar, a testament to the masterful craftsmanship of Linda Tafoya Sanchez, a distinguished potter from Santa Clara Pueblo. The jar's design is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation, showcasing a globular body crowned with a gracefully tall neck.

The lower body of the jar is a canvas for intricate swirling designs, accentuated by three broad parallel bands, adding depth and texture to the piece. Rising above this base, a pair of Avanyu—water serpents revered in Pueblo mythology—emerge, their silhouettes striking against a matte backdrop. This design is elegantly separated from the neck design by another set of three wide parallel bands, creating a visual rhythm that guides the viewer's gaze upwards.

The neck of the jar mirrors the lower body's design, albeit on a smaller scale, creating a sense of balance and symmetry. This design continuity reflects the thoughtful attention to detail that is a hallmark of Sanchez's work.

Linda Tafoya Sanchez, a proud member of the renowned Tafoya family of Santa Clara Pueblo, has garnered numerous accolades throughout her innovative pottery career. This highly burnished black jar stands as a shining example of her consistent display of exceptional talent, a tangible embodiment of her artistic vision and mastery. It is not just a piece of pottery, but a narrative of cultural heritage and personal expression, skillfully shaped by the hands of a master artisan.

This brand-new, elegantly polished piece of blackware pottery was personally delivered to Adobe Gallery by Linda Tafoya Sanchez on February 24, 2024. The jar, offered directly by the artist, bears her signature on the bottom, affirming its authenticity.

Born in 1962, Linda Tafoya Sanchez initially signed her pottery as Linda Tafoya Oyenque, but now uses Linda Tafoya Sanchez. Despite the change in signature, the beauty of her pottery remains unchanged. As the daughter of Lee and Betty Tafoya and granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya, Linda credits her aunt, Mary Esther Archuleta, for her pottery training. The family's matriarch, Sara Fina Tafoya, appears to have set the standard for the family's production of stunning black pottery. Linda's work has been recognized with numerous awards at events such as the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.

Condition: new

Provenance: this Santa Clara Pueblo Black Jar with a pair of Avanyu is from the artist

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

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