Merton & Linda Sisneros Santa Clara Pueblo Black-on-Black Pottery Vase

This exquisite hand-coiled blackware vase is the work of Merton and Linda Sisneros, highly regarded artists from the Santa Clara Pueblo of New Mexico—one of the most celebrated centers of Pueblo pottery. The vessel’s form is gracefully proportioned, with a softly rounded body rising to a flared neck, its surface finished in the Pueblo’s signature black-on-black style. A series of bold matte lightning or kiva step motifs contrasts against the deep, mirror-like polish achieved through the artists’ masterful control of clay and fire.

Merton and Linda Sisneros are known for continuing the time-honored Santa Clara ceramic tradition, where each piece is hand-coiled, painted, and pit-fired using locally gathered clay. Their work embodies the living legacy of Pueblo craftsmanship—marrying ancient technique with a contemporary aesthetic sensibility. Collectors value their artistry for its balance of technical precision and spiritual depth, each pot a reflection of both lineage and landscape.

Signed on the underside: “Merton & Linda Sisneros / Santa Clara Pue.”
A superb small-scale example of Pueblo blackware artistry—at once traditional, modern, and timeless.

Condition

Good overall condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Light surface wear consistent with age and handling. The polished black surface remains lustrous and evenly finished.

Dimensions

Height: 3¾ inches
Diameter: 3 inches
Please Note: Soup for Scale Shown in Photo