Santa Clara Pueblo Matched PAIR of Pottery Candle Holders [SOLD]

This pair of Santa Clara Pueblo candle holders was made to support the older fat candles.  The opening measures 1-1/4 inches.  They probably date to the mid-20^th century as that was a time when items such as these were popular with Santa Fe residents and the pueblo potters found a ready market for them. 

Both candle holders have matte black designs on the stem and on the pedestal. The stem design consists of a pair of stepped tablita shapes turned on their side with an arrow extending down to the platform from each pair. This is repeated on front and back. Although both candle holders have some condition problems as described below, these are not as obvious as one would expect. The black color tends to hide the imperfections. The candle holders are a charming pair and look great with the fat candles.

There is some doubt as to when pueblo potters started making candle holders.  When the Spanish arrived here 400 years ago and started building mission churches on the pueblo lands, it is conceivable that potters were asked to make candle holders for those churches.  Unfortunately, none from that time period have been found.  We know that potters have made candle holders since around the 1880s when tourists arrived on the new trains, and certainly have made them in abundance since the mid-1950s.

Condition:  a section of the base has broken off both candle holders and been glued back in place.  The break is not bothersome from the top view on either candle holder.  There are survace scratches.

Provenance: this Santa Clara Pueblo Matched Pair of Pottery Candle Holders is from a collector living in Santa Fe

Reference:  Hayes, Allan and John Blom.  Collections of Southwestern Pottery: Candlesticks to Canteens, Frogs to Figurines

Relative Links: SOUTHWEST INDIAN POTTERY, SANTA CLARA PUEBLO, KHA'P'OO OWINGE, HISTORIC