Santa Clara Pueblo Red Slip Carved Pottery Jar by Jennie Trammel [SOLD]

Jennie Trammel is known by all collectors of contemporary pottery as one of the finest potters from Santa Clara Pueblo producing carved red vessels.  She was a perfectionist and her works clearly illustrate that. Unfortunately, she 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.

Red carved pottery, such as this one by Jennie Trammel, is more difficult to fire than black pottery.  Keeping the slip red and devoid of fire clouds or smoke is difficult. A slight increase in wind during the firing process increases the chance of smoke damage.  Experienced potters have mastered the technique, and Jennie Trammel was an experienced potter. She was born in 1929 and passed away in 2010.

This jar was purchased by the current owner in 1988 so it is presumed that was the year it was made.  The walls are thick which allowed the artist to create deep carving into the walls and permit the Avanyu, water serpent, design to be in significant relief.  The Avanyu wraps around the midbody of the jar with its head displayed over its tail.

Condition: this Santa Clara Pueblo Red Slip Carved Pottery Jar by Jennie Trammel is in very good condition

Provenance: from a client in New Jersey who is downsizing and found it necessary to release some of her collection of pueblo pottery.

Recommended Reading:  Art of Clay - Timeless Pottery of the Southwest by Lee M. Cohen

Relative Links: Margaret Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Jennie Trammel