Faye Tso

Faye Tso (1933–2004) was a Navajo potter and herbal medicine healer. Her pieces are known for their nontraditional imagery of corn maidens, warriors, and dancers, whereas Navajo pottery typically has little decoration.

Artistic career Tso returned to dig her clay at Coal Mine Mesa, where she also gathered pinon from which she extracted the pitch resin used to coat and seal her Dineh pottery. Her husband and son are medicine men and use Tso's pots in their ceremonies.

Noted works Tso's works have sold for over $1,000, and several of her pieces are held in the Smithsonian American Art Museum: Head of Emmett, c. 1985, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.175 Bean Pot with Incised Corn Maiden Figures, 1987, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.176 Pot with Dancers with Headdresses and Rattles, c. 1985, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.177 Pot with Figurative Decoration, c. 1992, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.178

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