It was a nice surprise when Clifford Fragua walked into the gallery this week. Clifford is a friendly, dignified-looking man from Jemez Pueblo. He and my brother, Jackson, were friends for many, many years, and Jackson always looked forward to having Clifford bring in new Nativity sets, Christmas ornaments, and Storytellers. He would have been especially happy to see Clifford this time when he unwrapped his latest creations.
Like most Jemez potters, Clifford's human figures and animals are unique and whimsical, and the items he brought this week are no exception.
We have a few other Nativity scenes in the gallery now, too, and an amazing, highly collectible Cochiti Nativity set by Helen Cordero (1915-1994), who was the first known potter to create the Storyteller clay figures. This set came from the collection of Sallie Lippincott, the early trader who ran the Wide Ruins Trading post during most of 1938-1950, with a short hiatus during WWII.
There's still time to ship Christmas gifts and other items to you before Christmas, but don't wait too long to order!
