Santa Clara Water Jar with Protrusions, Possibly by Sara Fina Tafoya

Santa Clara Pueblo

Circa 1880 or earlier | Clay | Item 2060

Santa Clara Water Jar, 19th Century

This is one of the most elegant Santa Clara jars I have seen. The shape is classic and sensuous, reaching 13″ diameter with a strong shoulder at the widest point. The underbody makes a sharp decent to a indented foot that is only 3 1/2″ in diameter, giving the whole jar a strong lift upwards. The shoulder goes nearly horizontal, and just past this point on the brief slope towards the neck are 17 bumps or small protrusions circling the jar. These were likely made by the potters finger or blunt object going inside the jar to push outward. The neck then raises more abruptly to a vertical movement with a touch of out flare on the rim. The rim is elegant and thin giving the jar a high degree of refinement. The rim shows a small, hairline crack and two areas where it was chipped, many years ago, as the patina to the chips look as old as the jar. The partial remains of an old label on the lower portion of the jar states: SANTA CLARA made at ???? Pueblo, ????, Albuquerque NM, BENHAM??? (this may reference the Benham Trading Post in Albququerque, NM)

It has been suggested by a knowledgable historian on Pueblo pottery that this is likely an early example by Sara Fina Tafoya (1863-1949). He said this based on how well executed this jar is, how thin walled it is and the protrusions. She was a skilled potter, even at a young age, and it’s thought she could have made this when she was around 20, dating it to around 1880.