This vintage Native American Santa Clara melon bowl, with red slip, and incised bear paws, by Linda Tafoya Sanchez formerly Oyenque, was acquired from the highly regarded Bien Muir Sandia Tribe Gallery in 1992.

Linda Tafoya was born in 1962, the granddaughter of Margaret Tafoya and daughter of Betty and Lee Tafoya. Linda Tafoya is a potter from Santa Clara Pueblo., with work appearing in markets in 1974. She says she learned to make pottery from her parents and her aunt, Mary Ester Archuleta.

Awards for the work of Linda Tafoya began in 1984 and continue to come her way for years that followed. One of her Best of Division award-winning piece from the 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market was presented to the Prince of Spain.

Linda married Dennis Oyenque of Ohkay Owingeh (San Juan Pueblo) with whom she had two sons. At that time, she signed her pottery "Linda Tafoya-Oyenque." After divorce from Dennis, she returned to Santa Clara. At Santa Clara she married again and now signs her pieces "Linda Tafoya-Sanchez."

Linda's polish and deeply carved melon design results in a mirror-like polish.
3.5" X 5" #L033

Please Note: For a limited time, our normal fee for packing and shipping this work of pottery art within the 48 mainland United States will be absorbed by Native-PotteryLink, resulting in FREE SHIPPING to any qualifying address. Shipping to other destinations may be arranged by emailing Sanibelart@gmail.com.