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COLLECTOR POTTERY

Collector Pottery

Fine Pueblo Pottery

INDIVIDUAL SANTA CLARA POTTERY

Candelaria Suazo/Vickie martinezSanta Clara Pottery The following is a statement from Candelaria Suazo herself: I am a full blooded Indian from the pueblos of Santa Clara and San Juan. I was inspired to begin making pottery by my mother, Santanita Suazo and her sisters: Margie Naranjo, the late Martha Huangooah, Mae Tapia and Shirley Duran. My relatives Dolores Curran and Geri Naranjo also had a great influence on my work. I have been making pottery for the past 23 years(2010) and specialize in sgrafitto two-tone styles. I get my clay in the pueblo of Santa Clara and hand coil all my pots. Once the pots are dried I hand polish each one with a polishing stone and red slip. The pot is then fired outdoors in a traditional firing pit using "cow patties" and horse manure. I enjoy making pottery because I want to keep up the traditional art of pottery making that the pueblo of Santa Clara is known for. I exhibit at the Eight Northern Pueblos Show and have won several ribbons for first, second and third places. Vickie Martinez was taught to pot by her grandmother, Flora Naranjo and her mother, Barbara Martinez. In the late 1980s she dated Stella Chavarria's son and both Stella and Teresita Naranjo encouraged her to improve and take her pottery more seriously. It is clearly evident that she followed their advice. The influence of both Stella and Teresita is apparent in her style. Today Vickie makes elegant pottery at affordable prices. She is certainly one of the better values at Santa Clara Pueblo. Vicky's pots are distinguished both by their size and the precision and depth of the carving. She often concentrates on Avanyu decoration framed by feather designs. The present pot is the result of collaboration between two great potters from Santa Clara. It is decorated with an exuberant array of figures done in two-tone style, polished and mat. The entire top of the piece has been intricately carved by Candelaria Suazo with two butterflies on either side of the neck and hummingbirds on opposite sides. There is an avanyu encircling the top of the hip along with a kokopelli or flute player and other traditional designs. It is good size piece measuring 7 1/2 inches tall by 9 inches wide. Item No.: A1571 Artist: Candelaria Suazo and Vickie Martinez Artist: Signed by Candelaria Suazo Size: 7 1/2 in H 9 in D Price: 1,200

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This beautiful, large vase was hand-made by Vicky Martinez and Candelaria Suazo of the Santa Clara Pueblo in Northern New Mexico. Ms. Martinez is the daughter of Barbara Martinez and sister to Chris Martinez. She is well known for her deeply carved vases and bowls. She does beautiful work that is symmetrical and finely polished. Ms. Suazo is the sister of well-known potters, Mae Tapia, Margie Naranjo, Shirley Duran and Martha Haungooah (deceased). She is also a noted potter famous for her sgraffito blackware jars, bowls and figures. This lovely vase was made using traditional Native American methods. It is beautifully polished all around. The vase was made by Vicky Martinez. The entire top of the piece has been intricately carved by Candelaria Suazo with two butterflies on either side of the neck and hummingbirds on opposite sides. There is an avanyu or water serpent encircling the top of the hip along with a kokopelli or flute player and other traditional designs. The piece measures approximately 7 3/4 inches tall and 9 inches wide. This piece is a true show stopper!! The piece is signed, "Candelaria Suazo Santa Clara Pueblo". It is in excellent condition and has no chips, cracks, nicks or hairlines.