Pottery creations are such a vital and special art form for many Native American tribes, connecting body to earth in such a direct, tangible way. This soulful connection, in combination with the history of the craft and knowledge passed down through generations, has culminated into astounding bodies of work by both emerging and seasoned artists. Featured within this section is a rich sampling of pottery available for purchase by these talented Native American artists, continually striving to uphold traditional ways while integrating their own distinct visions.
John Moran Auctioneers
The upcoming John Moran Art of the American West auction, to be held June 6, will feature a robust selection of Western art and objects, American Indian silver, textiles and pottery—like this impressive polychrome seed pot by Mark Tahbo (Hopi), estimated at $1,000 to $1,500. Please contact John Moran Auctioneers for more information about this important auction event, or about high-quality pottery.
145 E. Walnut Avenue » Monrovia, CA 91016 » www.johnmoran.com
Adobe Gallery
This exceptional Santa Ana Pueblo olla dates to the mid to late 1800s. The gallery notes that it’s rare for Santa Ana pieces from this era to appear on the market today, as most are in museums or private collections. This olla was acquired by the Denver Art Museum in 1934 and deaccessioned in 2003.
221 Canyon Road » Santa Fe, NM 87501 » (505) 955-0550 » info@adobegallery.com » www.adobegallery.com
Blue Rain Gallery
Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo) hand coils each of his pieces using natural clay, often embellishing his creations with strands of turquoise or heishi shell beads and larger turquoise stones. Water jars, effigies, bears and neatly lidded vessel have commonly defined Sanchez’s range of form.
544 South Guadalupe Street » Santa Fe, NM 87505 » (505) 954-9902 » info@blueraingallery.com » www.blueraingallery.com
King Galleries
Les Namingha is known for his coil-built pottery that is painted with acrylic on the surface. The artist often focuses on imagery inspired by his Hopi-Tewa and Zuni roots. His recent works are influenced by Zuni and Hopi katsinam and his interpretation of their movement.
130 Lincoln Avenue, Suite D » Santa Fe, NM 87501 » (480) 481-1087 » www.kinggalleries.com
Al Qöyawayma
“From the Southwest to Peru, ancient architecture prevails,” says Hopi artist Al Qöyawayma. These stone structures inspire his creations, and reflect the influences of the Southwest. His Hopi clay supports intricate walls using the repoussé technique. Shadows produced by his stone and wall shapes are endless.
C & D Gifts Native American Art
This huge Antelope Dancer figure from noted Cochiti potter Mary Janice Ortiz is an incredible piece that would make a great centerpiece for any collection. Ortiz uses all-natural pigments for her paints and fires all of her pottery outdoors the traditional way. Ortiz is the sister of potter Virgil Ortiz, Joyce Ortiz and Inez Ortiz. She is also the aunt of Lisa Holt.
(505) 238-9888 » www.canddgiftsnm.com
Eagle Spirit Gallery
Eagle Spirit Gallery represents prominent artists like Steve Smith (Dla’kwagila) and his incredible paintings featured here on a ceramic bowl titled Sweetness. The unique design of the bowl, measuring at 18 by 13 inches, is meant to mimic a baby bird, with the painting incorporating around 45 different colors depicting ravens and frogs.
1803 Maritime Mews » Vancouver, BC V6H 3W7 » (604) 728-7766 » eaglespiritgallery@telus.net » www.eaglespiritgallery.com
Pictured here is a black Santa Clara pot by Pasqualita Tafoya (1883-1959). Pasqualita Tafoya is the only sister of Sara Fina Tafoya, the mother of Margaret Tafoya. Pasqualita is also the matriarch of very talented and accomplished potters. Among her descendants are Tomasita Tafoya, Cresencia Tafoya, Annie Baca, Minnie Vigil and Gloria Garcia. This deeply carved and incised Avanyu design heralds the importance of the horned or plumed serpent in the Tewa Pueblo culture and mythology. It is revered as a water deity, commanding respect and fear as it can bless with sustenance or punish with flood.
4650 N. US Hwy 89 » Flagstaff, AZ 86004 (Flagstaff Mall, Suite G014) » (928) 526-0696 » jack@jacksantique.com » www.jacksantique.com
Antique Native American Baskets
This antique Pima or Papago (now Tohono O’odham) canteen or olla was used as a “water cooler.” The porous clay allowed dampness to seep through, acting as a natural water cooler. Local potters often took similar pottery to the train station in the early railroad days to sell to a tourist passing through.
Sonoita, AZ » lauree@theantiqueattic.net » www.antiquenabaskets.com
Andrea Fisher Fine Pottery
This tall, graceful jar is by Bernice Naranjo of Santa Clara Pueblo, measuring at 13¼ inches high. Decorated in the sgraffito style, it portrays the hummingbirds that make their home in Santa Fe every summer. While Santa Clara traditional reduction-fired pottery is all black, during the firing Mother Nature exquisitely intervenes.
100 West San Francisco Street » Santa Fe, NM 87501 » (505) 986-1234 » info@andreafisherpottery.com » www.andreafisherpottery.com
Lyn A. Fox Fine Pueblo Pottery
The first summer show for Lyn A. Fox Fine Pueblo Pottery is The Artistry of Acoma Pottery Plates by Franklin Peters, whose clay, line painting plate is pictured here. The gallery notes that Peters will be in the gallery on Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 4 p.m., for a plate-making demo. The show will run through August 31.
839 Paseo de Peralta, Unit K » Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 577-0835 » foxpueblopottery.com
Native American Collections
Santa Fe Indian Market Best of Show winner for 2022, Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo), has created a complex, lidded jar with the classic Avanyu (water serpent) design using high-grade Kingman turquoise and coral. The piece is hand coiled and measures at 6½ by 5¾ inches.
Denver, CO » (303) 321-1071 » www.nativepots.com
Pottery of the Southwest
Jason Ebelacker from Santa Clara Pueblo, hand builds all his pieces using the coil method, uses native clay and clay slips, and fires traditionally outside. The inspiration behind this piece was Ebelacker’s great-grandmother Margaret Tafoya, the matriarch for pottery in the Santa Clara Pueblo.
223 Canyon Road » Santa Fe, NM » (505) 365-2192 » www.potteryofthesouthwest.com
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