Extraordinary Santa Clara Pueblo Jar by Linda Tafoya Sanchez [SOLD]

A Master's Breakthrough: Linda Tafoya Sanchez and the "Dark Plum" Triumph

When Linda Tafoya Sanchez delivered this jar to the gallery, her excitement was palpable. For an artist of her caliber (already a celebrated master of Santa Clara pottery) this piece represents the successful end of a long, experimental journey.

Linda has spent years refining her firing techniques, pushing the traditional red finish into deeper, more soulful territory. With this extraordinary jar, she has achieved her ultimate goal: a breathtaking, sophisticated Dark Plum.

This isn't merely a variation of red; it is a technical milestone. The color is deep, rich, and velvety, achieved through a precise mastery of the firing atmosphere. In an intimate, smaller scale, this vessel pulses with a color that feels both ancient and entirely modern. It is the culmination of dozens of experimental firings, finally captured in clay.

Linda has organized the surface of this jar into a rhythmic, three-tiered narrative. Each register is separated by a delicate, shimmering band of micaceous slip, creating a metallic contrast against the deep plum body. A sophisticated grid of squares, each acting as a frame for a distinct element of the Pueblo design vernacular, reveals geometric hooks, steps, the iconic bear paw, delicate florals, and fluid waves. It is a visual encyclopedia of her heritage. These frames provide a stunning visual "anchor" to the piece. They feature a series of parallel bars that alternate between a high-gloss polished finish and the textured, sparkling earthiness of micaceous slip.

A Potter at the Vanguard

Linda Tafoya Sanchez is currently in a period of intense artistic evolution. Her recent works demonstrate a fearless desire to experiment, blending traditional techniques with innovative slip combinations and daring firing schedules. Her success in achieving this "Dark Plum" hue — coupled with her flawless precision in sgraffito and micaceous application — has made her new works some of the most sought-after pieces among discerning collectors of contemporary Pueblo pottery. This piece is more than a jar; it is a document of an artist reaching her peak.

Condition: new

Provenance: this Extraordinary Santa Clara Pueblo Jar by Linda Tafoya Sanchez is from the potter

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