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Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery
Black pottery from the Santa Clara Pueblo is among the most well-known in the entire world. Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso Pueblo is arguably the most well known Potter ever to live. She became famous for the black pottery tradition that is now carried on by artists of the Santa Clara Pueblo. Santa Clara Pueblo pottery has become the most collectible Native American pottery. This incredible art form begins with natural red clays gathered from the pueblos and surrounding hills. The clay undergoes many preparations before it is finally molded into the finished product. The artist generally rolls the clay into long thin rolls, then begins to "build" the piece by layering these rolls one on top of the other. This hand coiled method includes smoothing the coils by hand to the pottery's final shape. The artist then begins the arduous task of polishing the piece. This is accomplished by rubbing a smooth "polishing" stone over the piece over and over until the red clay shines. Finally, the piece is fired in an "oxygen reduction" firing process. During the firing, the artist smothers the fire with horse manure. The manure traps a thick, carbon rich smoke all around the piece. The carbon contained in the smoke fuses itself into the clay, turning it black. This black color can never be removed or washed off. The entire process is fraught with problems as about 3 of every 5 pieces actually emerge from the fire without damage. Given the rarity of this pottery, artists often view the clay as a living entity. A finished piece is often revered as a gift from what pueblo potters often respectfully refer to as the "Clay Mother". The end result is a stunning piece of Native American pottery work of art.
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Vickie Martinez Tafoya Vickie Martinez “Koe-Sawe”, Buffalo Steps, was born into the Pueblo of Santa Clara-Tewa in 1967. Vickie was inspired to continue the long lived tradition of her ancestors of working with clay from her Mother, Barbara Martinez. She has been making pottery since 1983, when she was 15 years old. Vickie specializes in the traditional handmade black and red Santa Clara pottery. She gathers her own natural clay from the hills within the Santa Clara Pueblo. Vickie cleans, mixes, hand coils, shapes, carves, fires, and then polishes her pottery the traditional way. Vickie was quoted as saying: “I find carving a very challenging and rewarding experience, which I am enjoying thoroughly.” Like all good Santa Clara pottery, the high gloss on this pot was achieved by polishing the surface with a smooth stone...a very tedious process. Three and sometimes as many as five layers of slip are applied to the smooth dried work, allowing time between coats to dry, and then followed by a lubricating coat of animal fat. The fat serves two purposes: one, it allows the stone to slide smoothly over the surface and two, it keeps the slip damp. Polishing stones are highly treasured and usually passed on to descendants. This piece features the classic Avanyu water serpent design. Vickie signs her pottery as: Vickie Martinez Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo. 4" Tall , 5 1/4" Wide Suggested Retail $275.00 / Your Price: SOLD Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Dusty Naranjo Like her brother, Forrest Naranjo, Dusty was not raised in a strictly pueblo environment. Her father, Tito Naranjo, was a university professor and this less traditional upbringing probably accounts for the contemporary styles of Dusty's pottery. In fact, Dusty did not even pursue pottery until a little later in life. She first graduated with a BA in psychology from NM Highlands University and recently obtained her Master's Degree in Art Therapy. However, having been exposed to pottery making throughout her life -- both her parents pot and her father's siblings are Jody Folwell, Nora Naranjo- Morse and Dolly Naranjo -- it was perhaps inevitable that Dusty give it a try. When she did begin potting she discovered that is was a wonderful creative process. Using only traditional techniques, Dusty is now a well known potter having progressed far in a short period of time. 4 5/8" Tall , 4 3/8" Wide Suggested Retail $795.00 / Your Price: $575.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby April Naranjo This small pot was hand coiled and stone polished to a beautiful shine. Signed by the artist. 2 3/8" Tall , 3 1/2" Wide Suggested Retail $132.00 / Your Price: $99.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Paul and Dorothy Gutierrez Paul and Dorothy Gutierrez have been married since 1965, and have two sons, Paul Gutierrez Jr. and Gary Gutierrez. Dorothy was born in 1940 and is a Navajo woman. Her mother is a weaver who weaves belts. Paul Sr. was born is 1936 and is a Tewa Pueblo Indian. They are very well known for their Black Mudhead Figurines. The mudheads are now what we call "Koshares" and they take part in the Indian ceremonial dances as clowns. They are made to put a smile on your face and to remind you not to take life so seriously all of the time. Paul's parents were both well know potters by the names of Lela and Vann Gutierrez. Paul has two sisters. Margaret Gutierrez, in her late fifties, to out knowledge still makes pottery. She specializes in polychrome bowls and figurines. Paul's late sister, Pauline Gutierrez, taught him the art of pottery making. Paul's niece, Stephanie Naranjo, also makes polychrome figurines. The Gutierrez family biography can be found in many books including "The fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery," by Rick Dillingham. 3 1/2" Tall, 2 1/4" Wide Suggested Retail $75.00 / Your Price: $60.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Tricia Velarde Tricia is the niece of artist Glenda Naranjo. Her style is very similar to her aunt's and she primarily makes pots with the classic water serpent and prayer feather designs. Her pots are all crafted using traditional methods. She signs Tricia Velarde, Santa Clara Pueblo. 3 1/4" Tall, 4 1/4 Wide Suggested Retail $180.00 / Your Price: SOLD Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Denise Chavarria Denise is the daughter of well known potter Stella Chavarria and the granddaughter of famed potter Teresita Naranjo. Her work was reminiscent of Stella's and Teresita's for some years but in recent years she has developed her own characteristic style. She has entered Santa Fe Indian Market for many years and has won numerous awards. This hand coiled pot is signed by Denise and features her famous Avanyu design. 2 3/4" Tall, 4 1/2" Wide Suggested Retail $240.00 / Your Price: $180.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Denise Chavarria Denise is the daughter of well known potter Stella Chavarria and the granddaughter of famed potter Teresita Naranjo. Her work was reminiscent of Stella's and Teresita's for some years but in recent years she has developed her own characteristic style. She has entered Santa Fe Indian Market for many years and has won numerous awards. This hand coiled pot is signed by Denise and features her famous Avanyu design. 5" Tall, 4 1/8" Wide Suggested Retail $260.00 / Your Price: $195.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Eric Tafoya This hand made buffalo figure comes from Eric Tafoya and features turquoise stones for eyes and antler horns. Signed by the artist. 2 1/2" Tall, 3 3/4" Long Suggested Retail $115.00 / Your Price: $87.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Anna & Fidel Archuleta Anna Archuleta was born in 1953 and has been making pottery since 1988. She was taught by her mother Belen Tapia (d). She specializes in stone polished redware carved bowls, jars and plates with bear claws, feather patterns, lighting and Avanyu (Water Serpent). She gathers clay from around the Santa Clara Pueblo, uses natural slips, polishing stones passed down from her mother and fires all her pottery outdoors. She is the sister of Anita Suazo. Her husband Fidel collaborates with her on the pottery. Anna does all the hand coiling and polishing and Fidel does the carving and firing. This lovely piece features Avanyu and wave designs and is signed by the artists. 5 1/2" Tall, 5 1/2" Wide Suggested Retail $999.00 / Your Price: SOLD Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Gwen Tafoya Gwen Tafoya was born in 1965 into the Santa Clara Pueblo-Tewa. She began experimenting with pottery making at the age of 6. She started out hand coiling small bowls and pots, using traditional methods. Gwen began making larger pieces of pottery by the time she reached the age of 16, and eventually would etch on the pottery steadily. Gwen was inspired to make pottery by her mother, Mary Agnes Tafoya. She taught Gwen all the fundamentals of hand coiling traditional Santa Clara Pottery. Gwen specializes in hand coiling traditional Santa Clara pottery which she then carves and etches by hand. She gathers her natural pigments from within the hills of the Santa Clara Pueblo. Gwen cleans, mixes, hand coils, shapes, polishes, and fires her pottery outdoors with horse manure. She especially likes to make seed pots because she has more room to etch her favorite designs of hummingbirds or flowers on the top of the pottery. Gwen also has a special part in her heart for the wedding vase because of its meaning. Gwen signs her pottery as “Gwen Tafoya SCP”. 11 /2" Tall, 5 1/2" Wide Suggested Retail $999.00 / Your Price: $795.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Denise Chavarria Denise is the daughter of well known potter Stella Chavarria and the granddaughter of famed potter Teresita Naranjo. Her work was reminiscent of Stella's and Teresita's for some years but in recent years she has developed her own characteristic style. She has entered Santa Fe Indian Market for many years and has won numerous awards. This hand coiled pot is signed by Denise. 3 1/4" Tall, 4 1/4" Wide Suggested Retail $240.00 / Your Price: SOLD Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Samantha Tafoya Samantha is the daughter of noted artist Gwen Tafoya, known for her intricately etched work. Samantha is following in her footsteps and improving quickly. This piece is signed by the artist. 3" Tall, 5" Wide Suggested Retail $340.00 / Your Price: $255.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Made Pottery Horseby Paul & Dorothy Gutierrez Paul and Dorothy Gutierrez have been married since 1965, and have two sons, Paul Gutierrez Jr. and Gary Gutierrez. Dorothy was born in 1940 and is a Navajo woman. Her mother is a weaver who weaves belts. Paul Sr. was born is 1936 and is a Tewa Pueblo Indian. They are very well known for their Black Mudhead Figurines. The mudheads are now what we call "Koshares" and they take part in the Indian ceremonial dances as clowns. They are made to put a smile on your face and to remind you not to take life so seriously all of the time. Paul's parents were both well know potters by the names of Lela and Vann Gutierrez. Paul has two sisters. Margaret Gutierrez, in her late fifties, to out knowledge still makes pottery. She specializes in polychrome bowls and figurines. Paul's late sister, Pauline Gutierrez, taught him the art of pottery making. Paul's niece, Stephanie Naranjo, also makes polychrome figurines. The Gutierrez family biography can be found in many books including "The fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery," by Rick Dillingham. 3" Tall , 3 1/2" Long Suggested Retail $75.00 / Your Price: $60.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Coiled Potteryby Denise Chavarria Denise is the daughter of well known potter Stella Chavarria and the granddaughter of famed potter Teresita Naranjo. Her work was reminiscent of Stella's and Teresita's for some years but in recent years she has developed her own characteristic style. She has entered Santa Fe Indian Market for many years and has won numerous awards. This hand coiled pot is signed by Denise and features her famous Avanyu design. 2 1/2" Tall, 4 1/4" Wide Suggested Retail $240.00 / Your Price: $180.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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Santa Clara Pueblo Hand Made Pottery Figureby Margaret Gutierrez This fine lady was one-half of the famous potting duo of Margaret and Luther. Margaret and Luther were siblings -- the children of another well known potting combination -- Lela and Van. Lela and Van created a very distinctive style based on multiple colored slips and paints and this style was continued and modified somewhat by Margaret and Luther. Upon Luther's death in 1989, Margaret continued to work with the assistance of Luther's daughter Pauline, but Pauline died shortly thereafter. Since that time, Margaret has continued the tradition alone creating fine figurines and pots in a most unique style. Today she works closely with her great-niece Stephanie Naranjo creating the delightful animal and mudhead figures. She signs each piece as Margaret. 1 1/8" Tall , 1 3/8" Long Suggested Retail $64.00 / Your Price: $48.00 Backed by Our 30 Day Money Back Guarantee!!
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