Dora Tse-Pe #52212

$2,800.00

It is always wonderful to have work by our friend, Dora Tse Pe return to the gallery. Dora claims “My first experience with my mother’s clay was when I was about six years old. She taught me the sacredness of clay. All have spiritual significance. I treat my clay with much respect.” She explained that every step of making pottery is done only after prayer and thanksgiving for our gifts of clay, water, fire, and artistic talents.

This is one of our favorite forms created by Dora. It is a black and sienna round jar. The lid is adorned with a black bear finial and the entire lid is stone polished and black. The bear is set with a solitary turquoise stone. Dora’s polishing has always been exceptional, and this piece shows that skill. Made in the early 2000’s, it is in outstanding condition.

6” high by 4 “wide

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Dora Tse-Pe (1939-2022)

San Ildefonso

Dora Tse-Pe, was born at Zia Pueblo in 1939. Dora learned pottery as a child from her mother, Candelaria Gachupin, gathering clay and sand and basalt. When Dora married and moved to San Ildefonso Pueblo, she knew how to make pottery, but she watched Rose Gonzales, her new mother-in-law, make red and black pottery. “We didn’t polish at Zia,” says Dora, who helped Rose gather clay and fuel for fire. Dora told me she was also inspired by Popovi Da, and his son, Tony Da.

Dora was known not only for her coiling skills, and carving techniques, but her polishing was always exemplary. She was always a perfectionist with her vessels. She achieved a beautifully smooth burnish and an exceptional black and red firing to her pottery. She was able to balance traditional methods with innovative combinations of textures, colors, and clays. Dora received much recognition for her work. The first prize she ever won was a blue ribbon at the 1969 New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque for a simple, plain black pot that she had polished and fired with Rose Gonzales. In 1988 and 1991 she won the prestigious Best in Traditional Pottery award at Indian Market in Santa Fe.

I worked with Dora for over twenty years, and it was a joy to know her.

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