Jemez Pottery
Jemez Pueblo is located fifty miles northwest of Albuquerque and dates back to 1703. The pottery varies widely, depending upon the potter. Juanita Fragua is known for her melon styles pots, but she creates other styles, as well. The Fragua and Gachupin familes are among the most well-known for fine pottery. |  | |
Estella Loretto is a fine artist. She started with pottery then moved into sculpture later in her career. This pot maybe one from her early art career. It measures 7 inches by 9 1/2 inches.
These are lovely. The designs are of landscapes. Mesas clouds and rain are the designs on this pot. It measures 6 inches by 4 inches.
This small pot has a lovely design and slip. It is incised in order to create the design. It measures 3 1/2 inches tall and 4 inches.
Clifford Kim Fragua follows a family tradition of making clay storytellers. Clifford's figures have happy expression and the lady is seated with her Navajo skirt swirled around her. Measures 4 3/4 inches tall.
"Star Feather"- Born in 1966 Aaron Cajero learned to make hand coiled pottery from family members in 1993. Aaron specializes in a very unique style of pottery, he harvests the clay from the Jemez Pueblo,coils, and then carves the designs into the dried clay pot. The pottery is fired outdoors with cedar woodchips. Aaron has won numerous awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market for his creative and unique style.
Marcella's style is bold and big. This takes courage, since swirl pottery is difficult to form and to fire. Marcella has mastered it. Featured is a small Melon seedpot that measures 3 3/4 inches by 3 1/2 inches.
Chris Fragua specializes in animals and humorous figures, in the tradition of Jemez storytellers. This Rabbit family measures 6 3/4 inches tall.
Dalmatian storyteller with pups, by Jemez artist Chris Fragua. Chris specializes in animals be it dogs, cats, buffalo or bears. He has a sense of humor and sensitivity for animals. Featured is a cute Dalmatian with four puppies that is 6 1/4 inches tall.
Aaron Cajero was born in 1966 into the Jemez Pueblo. He hand coils his pottery from raw clay harvested from the Jemez Pueblo, like he was taught by his family. The designs are hand carved after the pottery has been coiled, dried and sanded, then hand polished with a stone. Featured is a pot that is called "Kiva Feathers".
Vera Fragua storyteller potter, is from Jemez pueblo. This 4 inch tall figure has a watermelon under each arm, (the favorite snack at Katsina dances by the Kochari clown) there are two mudheads and two children. Vera has a great sense of humor and lots of detail in her work.
Pictured is a fun storyteller by Chris Fragua of Jemez Pueblo. The children are holding a black cat and a chicken. This figure is 6-1/2 inches tall.
Chris Fragua's Koshari Clown Storyteller. Pictured is a Koshari clown with two Mudheads, two female potters on his lap, and two watermelons on his shoulders. The watermelon is associated with the Koshari that amuses the crowds between the Katsina dances, teasing, taunting and gorging on watermelon. Chris' storytellers are often humorous and detailed.
Chris Fragua of Jemez pueblo has crafted this amusing Koshari clown storyteller. The doll has 2 Mudheads and two children on it's lap. Chris' storytellers are often very humorous, and have many details like toys or animals. This one measures 7 1/2 inches tall.
Cheryl Fragua of Jemez Pueblo makes storyteller dolls in the tradition of her family. This Cornmaiden figure holds a Jemez pot and has a Tablita on her head, which is used during the Corn Dances held in the spring and summer. She stands 7 3/4 inches tall.
Cheryl Fragua has made a lovely Cornmaiden Storyteller doll. The storyteller has a Tablita on her head and is holding a Jemez style bowl in her arms. She is dressed for the Corn Dances that are held in the spring or summer. The figure stands 6 3/4 inches tall.
Pictured is a Cornmaiden storyteller doll by Jemez potter Cheryl Fragua, daughter of Chris and Vera Fragua. Her female figure is holding a Jemez style pot and she is wearing a Tablita on her head. The Tabilta is worn by the female during the Corn Dances. It is like the crown and has cloud designs on it. Clouds bring rain and rain grows corn.
Vera Fragua Storyteller Pottery- This figure has six children, two of them are holding balls, and the rest are singing. Measuring 6 1/2 inches tall.
Vera Fragua and her family, husband Chris and daughter Cheryl are all storyteller potters. Their style is very distinct and often humorous. Pictured is a storyteller with three children one holds a drum, another a ball and the other a block with ABC's. The central figure has a pottery plate on her lap. She stands 5 1/2 inches tall.
This pot by Laura Gachupin features cut away edges to form a Kiva Bowl that she has titled "Clay Woman". Painted in intricate detail are many designs including a corn stalk, sun, rainclouds, and more geometric designs. This piece is expertly crafted, painted, and finished. It measures 8" in diameter and 6" in height.
