Micaceous Pottery

Micaceous Clay Pottery

Featuring work by Taos Pueblo/Southern Ute master potter Karen Cordova; Myrtle Cata of San Felipe and San Juan Pueblos; Marcella and Emma Yepa of Jemez Pueblo; Phogeh Povi of San Juan Pueblo; Jennifer Tse-Pe of San Ildefonso Pueblo; Glen Gomes of Taos and Pojoaque Pueblos; Allen Lasiloo of Zuni Pueblo; George Gonzales of Taos Pueblo, and Ignacia Duran of Tesuque Pueblo.

We believe that micaceous pottery offers the greatest potential for increased popularity and collecting by those who appreciate Native American pottery. It's 'discovery' is only a matter of time. To learn more about the wonderful work being done by potters working with micaceous clay read "All That Glitters" by Duane Anderson or contact the Indian Arts Research Center. To read an excerpt from Duane Anderson's book, click here.

Emma Yepa is of the Jemez Pueblo Coyote Clan began potting at he age of 13 in 1965 working with stone polished redware, tanware, some incised work and melon swirl pots. She was taught by her mother Ida Yepa. It is only in the past two years however, that Emma has begun to do swirled melon pots. Another well known Jemez potter named Alvina Yepa is Emma's aunt (her father's sister).

At left is a beautiful micaceous swirl vase with diagonally cut opening. It measures 7 inches tall by 5.25 inches wide. Your price $525 ~ Item #MIC318. Click here to see an enlargement.

Emma is more widely known for her redware and buffware swirl pots but her work with micaceous clay is widely recognized among galleries and collectors. She recently won awards at the Red Rocks Arts & Crafts Show near Jemez Pueblo. Her work has been published in Indian Market Magazine and in "Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2000 Artist Biographies" by Dr. Gregory Schaaf.

The shape of these pots along with the sharp edge of the swirls make them standout as uniquely beautiful creations desirable for any collection.. This pot measures 4.5 inches tall by 6.5 inches wide. Your price $525 ~ Item #MIC320. Click here to see an enlargement. SOLD

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Marcella Yepa is of the Jemez Pueblo Sun Clan and has been an active potter since 1983 creating stone polished redware and tanware melon swirl pots, jars and wedding vases. She was taught the Jemez tradition of pottery by Felipita Yepa and her aunt, Alvina Yepa. She gathers natural clay, hand coils and sculpts her forms and fires her pottery outdoors with cedar chips.

This is a fine melon swirl vase in micaceous clay that adds a spark of light to the swirling energy of the piece. The clay leans a bit more toward the pale rather than the rich gold of Emma Yepa's pieces. It measures 3.25 inches tall by 4 inches wide. Your price $160 ~ Item #MIC321. SOLD

She is represented by galleries in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and in Utah and has been published Schaaf's "Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2000 Artist Biographies, and "Southwestern Pottery: Anasazi to Zuni" by Allan Hayes & John Blom.

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How to make a Purchase

Robert Vigil has been an active Nambe Pueblo potter since 1990 working with micaceous jars, bowls, vases, figures and polished redware. Robert is the cousin of Lonnie Vigil who is better known than Vigil for his own micaceous pottery which now commands impressive prices. Robert on the other hand is known for his quiet ways and has been referred to as "a masterful potter who awaits discovery" by author Gregory Schaaf who adds "his pottery is so thin and light, as to evoke astonishment. Robert does not create giant storage jars like his cousin. Robert works on smaller, more intimate scale. He is soft spoken and humble about his art. His pots are beautiful. We believe his future is bright."

At top is a beautifully shaped micaceous pot with an exquisite flowing design carved into the surface. The smoke clouds supply the wonderful natural shading born of pit and wood firing. This is a bold beauty with an eloquence that will not escape the serious collector. Without a doubt, museum quality. We showed it to some other dealers and their eyes went wide with envy. This piece will make your heart leap when you open the box and see it before you because the photographs can't do it justice. It measures 16 inches tall by 10 inches wide, perfect in every way. Your price $1,400 ~ Item #MIC338. Click here to see an enlargement. SOLD

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