Santa Clara Pueblo Large Red Carved Canteen [SOLD]

C4111B-canteen.jpg

+ Add to my watchlist Forward to Friend


Jennie Trammel, Santa Clara Pueblo Potter

Most collectors are aware that Jennie Trammel made fewer pottery items than any of the other daughters of Margaret Tafoya.  She had a full-time job away from Santa Clara Pueblo and had little time for making pottery. Interestingly, she was absolutely a phenomenal potter and produced the most beautiful carved wares of the twentieth century.

This canteen is typical of the exquisite work she produced.  The carving of the clay around the medallion is clean and of equal depth. The edges of the carving are precise and sharp. The burnishing and firing were equally spectacularly accomplished.  

The design chosen by the artist is the revered Avanyu or water serpent.  He is curled around a central circle with his tail tucked under his chin.  Lightning fires from his mouth in the guise of an arrow. The design was repeated on front and back of the canteen.

Because of her full-time career job, Jennie did not participate in many exhibits.  She was, however, included in Seven Families in Pueblo Pottery in 1974 and participated in an exhibit in New York in 1985 with other members of Margaret Tafoya’s family.

Jennie Trammel (1929 -2010) signatureThe vessel is signed Jennie Trammel on the underside.  


Condition: this Santa Clara Pueblo Large Red Carved Canteen is in excellent condition

Provenance: from a gentleman collector from New Mexico

Recommended Reading:  Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya by Charles King

The design chosen by the artist is the revered Avanyu.  He is curled around a central circle with his tail tucked under his chin.  Lightning fires from his mouth in the guise of an arrow.  The design was repeated on front and back of the canteen.

Jennie Trammel, Santa Clara Pueblo Potter
C4111B-canteen.jpgC4111B-large.jpg Click on image to view larger.