Santa Clara Pueblo Turtle Pottery By Mary Small

Late 20th/Early 21st Century

2.875" H x 4.375" L x 3.25" W

Hand Coiled from Local Clay with Painted Light Blue Grey Body and Dark Grey Lined Details and Terracotta Colored Shell with 1 Large Turquoise Stone

Excellent Condition

Mary Small (1940–2024) was a highly regarded potter from Jemez Pueblo, known for her distinctive polychrome style with gray slips, orange accents, and elegant designs (often on wedding vases or jars). She elevated Jemez pottery beyond typical tourist styles, but her work is not associated with Santa Clara traditions or turtle forms.

Santa Clara Pueblo pottery is renowned for its blackware and redware, often featuring deep carving (sgraffito), stone polishing, and traditional motifs like the avanyu (water serpent), bear paws, or geometric patterns. Turtle effigies and figurines are a popular form among Santa Clara artists, symbolizing longevity and the earth in Pueblo culture. These are typically hand-coiled, fired in traditional outdoor kilns, and may include inlays like turquoise or heishi beads.