Santa Clara Pueblo Carved Pottery Turtle

Linda Tafoya is the granddaughter of Santa Clara Pueblo pottery matriarch Margaret Tafoya, and the daughter of Lee and Betty Tafoya. She began making pottery at age 12, with her father teaching her to make the vessels and carve the designs, and her mother teaching her how to sand and carve the vessels. She learned how to manipulate the firing process to create a deep, black color, and uses family heirloom stones to perfect the polishing effect.

This is one of Linda's very early works from when she lived at the San Juan Pueblo. Signed Linda Tafoya-Oyenque, Santa Clara and San Juan.

2 1/2" Tall, 6" Long