The Tafoya Family: A Legacy of Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery
Above Image: Sara Fina Tafoya firing blackware pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo, c. 1900
Traditions of Pueblo Pottery
For generations, the Tafoya family of Santa Clara Pueblo has shaped the legacy of Pueblo pottery, passing knowledge, technique, and tradition from one potter to the next. Their story is one of continuity—where clay gathered from ancestral lands is transformed by hand into vessels that carry both beauty and cultural meaning.
Sara Fina Tafoya (right) with her husband Geronimo c. 1900
Origins of Polished Blackware
At the foundation of this lineage is Sara Fina Tafoya, whose work in the late 19th and early 20th centuries helped establish the polished blackware style now synonymous with Santa Clara Pueblo. Her teachings were carried forward by her daughter, Margaret Tafoya, one of the most influential Pueblo potters of the 20th century. Known for her monumental forms and deeply carved designs, Margaret remained devoted to traditional methods throughout her life, hand-coiling vessels, polishing them with stones, and firing them outdoors in open pits. Her work set a standard for excellence and authenticity that continues to guide Santa Clara pottery today.
Wedding Vase, c. 1970, Margaret Tafoya (1904-2001); Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico
Keeping the Tafoya and Santa Clara Traditions Alive
Margaret’s descendants—including LuAnn Tafoya and later generations—have continued this tradition, each honoring the family’s techniques while developing a personal artistic voice. From classic bear paw motifs to intricately carved geometric and natural designs, Tafoya pottery reflects both ancestral knowledge and individual expression.
Today, the Tafoya name represents more than a family—it signifies a living tradition. Each piece created within this lineage embodies patience, skill, and respect for the past, making Tafoya pottery highly revered by collectors and museums alike. Through their work, the Tafoya family continues to tell the story of Santa Clara Pueblo—one vessel at a time.
Meet the Tafoya Family Potters Featured in Our Collection
Indigenous People Burning Pottery in the Santa Clara Pueblo of New Mexico
Margaret Tafoya
Margaret Tafoya was one of the most influential Pueblo potters of the 20th century and a central figure in the Santa Clara pottery tradition. Renowned for her monumental vessels, deeply carved designs, and masterful control of form, she helped elevate Santa Clara blackware and redware to international recognition. Working entirely by hand using traditional methods passed down through generations, Margaret’s pottery set a standard for both technical excellence and artistic power. Her legacy lives on through the many descendants and artists she inspired, making her work—and the Tafoya family lineage—highly prized by museums and serious collectors alike.
Teresita Tafoya Naranjo
Teresita Tafoya Naranjo was a distinguished Santa Clara Pueblo potter whose work reflects the deep lineage and traditions of the Tafoya family. Known for elegant forms and finely carved surfaces, her pottery embodies the balance of strength and refinement that defines Santa Clara blackware and redware. Teresita’s pieces are especially valued for their connection to one of the most influential pottery families in the Southwest and for their quiet, timeless presence.
Judy and Lincoln Tafoya
Judy and Lincoln Tafoya represent a powerful partnership within the Santa Clara Pueblo pottery tradition. Working together, they are known for large-scale vessels with bold carving, polished surfaces, and strong sculptural forms. Their collaborative approach honors generations of Tafoya family knowledge while allowing for innovation in scale and design, making their work highly sought after by collectors of contemporary Pueblo pottery.
Mida Tafoya
Mida Tafoya is recognized for carrying forward the Santa Clara Pueblo tradition with a personal and refined touch. Her pottery often features graceful shapes and meticulous carving, reflecting both technical mastery and a deep respect for ancestral methods. Mida’s work stands as a continuation of the Tafoya family legacy, valued for its authenticity, craftsmanship, and enduring cultural significance.
