Santa Clara Pueblo Red Turtle Pottery By Clarissa Tafoya

Late 20th Century

1.75" H x 3.75" L x 3.625" W

Hand Crafted from Local Clay with a Carved Triangular Geometric Design for a Glossy Terracotta Colored Shell 

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

Clarissa Tafoya is a contemporary Santa Clara Pueblo potter known for hand-coiled redware and blackware pottery featuring traditional techniques with innovative or unusual shapes and deep carvings (often avanyu/water serpents). She learned the craft from her mother Rose Tafoya and grandmother Lucaria Tafoya. In 2001, she married Timothy Roller (son of Toni Roller and grandson of the renowned Margaret Tafoya), connecting her to one of Santa Clara's most prominent pottery families. Her work often includes polished surfaces, carved designs like the avanyu (horned water serpent), geometric patterns, and experimental forms (e.g., square-necked or angular vases). She produces both redware and blackware.