Santa Clara storage jar
SOLD
c. 1910 12" x 14" Excellent condition
This is a Santa Clara water storage jar from the early 20th century. There are 4 bear paws on the upper shoulder. The paws are clear on the jar but do not photograph well. This jar is "in the style of Serafina Tafoya." The family of Serafina and Margaret claims the bear paw pots are exclusive to them. This could be debated but there is a preponderance of "bear paw" pieces that come from that family.
Regardless of who made it, this is a wonderful example of water storage jars before indoor plumbing at Santa Clara Pueblo and before the aesthetic quality rose to the forefront. The black surface is of uneven quality. Physical beauty was less important than simply holding water. A decade or more would pass before the potters thought they could attract even more collectors to their storage jars if they made the surface more homogenously black.
Generally there are two types of Native art: what Native artists make for their people and what they make for trade. This jar is solidly in the former category. It is a strong, soulful work of utilitarian art.
c. 1910 12" x 14" Excellent condition
This is a Santa Clara water storage jar from the early 20th century. There are 4 bear paws on the upper shoulder. The paws are clear on the jar but do not photograph well. This jar is "in the style of Serafina Tafoya." The family of Serafina and Margaret claims the bear paw pots are exclusive to them. This could be debated but there is a preponderance of "bear paw" pieces that come from that family.
Regardless of who made it, this is a wonderful example of water storage jars before indoor plumbing at Santa Clara Pueblo and before the aesthetic quality rose to the forefront. The black surface is of uneven quality. Physical beauty was less important than simply holding water. A decade or more would pass before the potters thought they could attract even more collectors to their storage jars if they made the surface more homogenously black.
Generally there are two types of Native art: what Native artists make for their people and what they make for trade. This jar is solidly in the former category. It is a strong, soulful work of utilitarian art.
