Description
Legoria Tafoya (1911-1984) Santa Clara Blackware jar signed by both her and her
daughter Celes. 5" wide x 4 3/8" tall with no damage or significant wear.
Legoria Tafoya (1911-1984) worked with Celes (her daughter) for many years.
Legoria was a sister of Pablita Velarde and therefore was almost solely
represented in the sale of her pottery by The Enchanted Mesa Indian Arts,
located on Route 66 at the east end of Albuquerque, for most of her career.
"Legoria was one of the first Santa Clara Pueblo artists to have a brochure with
her personal biographical statement. The document states in part: 'Along with
many other children of the Rio Grande Pueblos, Legoria attended St. Catherine's
Indian School at Santa Fe...Married quite young to Pasqual Tafoya, Legoria was
soon very busy with a family of her own. Marriage, children, and the resultant
responsibilities prompted Legoria to become interested in making pottery to sell
to supplement the family income.
'In 1930 Legoria learned the art of pottery making from her
grandmother...Legoria's first work consisted mostly of clever, small animal
figurines, which she molded with her fingers. Lions, bears, birds and turtles
are design forms which are much in evidence in Tewa mythology. These little
-like ceramics proved to be extremely popular, and Legoria sold many of them to
the tourists who came to the Pueblo...Legoria decided to exhibit her work. At
her first exhibit in 1940 she won a blue ribbon for a plain polished bowl. This
was at the Indian Market at Santa Fe...Legoria has received many awards for
pottery making...'" (Schaaf).
tw108
