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Sophie Cata

Santa Clara Potter
 
Description

Sophie Cata

Sophie Cata, "Eagle Feather Basket", was born in 1957 in the Santa Clara Pueblo. She was inspired to continue the family tradition of pottery making from Flora Naranjo (grandmother) and Frances Salazar (mother). She was taught all the fundamentals of pottery making at the age of 6, and has carried on the family tradition ever since.

Sophie specializes in handmade traditional Santa Clara pottery. The materials used to make her pottery are all provided to her from Mother Earth. She gathers her clay and white sand within the Santa Clara Pueblo. The clay & white sand are sifted for impurities, then mixed in equal parts to form a mud type clay. The pottery is hand-coiled, and this accounts for imperfections. When the pot is dried, designs are drawn with a pencil and carved out with carving tools. She then sands her pottery with sandpaper to make it round and smooth. She applies a red slip on her pottery and polishes it with a polishing stone. Firing takes place outdoors in an open kiln, the way of her ancestors, and slabs of bark are added to the fire. It needs to reach a temperature of 800 degrees. When she makes black pottery, horse dung is added to the fire to achieve a black finish. 

Sophie strongly believes in tradition. Her favorite patterns are bear paws, feather designs, water serpents, kiva steps, and cloud designs. Sophie signs her pottery as: Sophie Cata, Santa Clara Pueblo.

About Bischoff's

Bischoff's Gallery opened in 1999. The gallery, located in historic Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona carries work by Native American, western, and southwestern artists. Known for its collection of Native American Jewelry, Bischoff's also offers a selection of Navajo rugs, kachinas, pottery, baskets, and fine art from artisans of many tribes...

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Opening Hours

Store Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

By appointment - Call 480-945-3289

Customer Service

Contact Bischoff's

Bischoff's Gallery

3925 N Brown Ave • Scottsdale, AZ • 85251

Phone: 480-946-6155

Email: sales@bischoffsgallery.com