Santa Clara Black Carved Bowl with Avanyu Design [SOLD]

Teresita Tafoya Naranjo (1919-1999) Apple Blossom - Bay-Po-Vi was the daughter of Christina Naranjo and granddaughter of Sara Fina Tafoya.  She has been acknowledged as one of the finest 20th century potters at Santa Clara Pueblo. Her unexpected death in 1999 was a loss to all pottery collectors.

She was active from 1935 to 1999 and was known for her black and redware carved works in the Santa Clara style.  After her husband passed away in 1950, she supported her family solely through sales of her pottery.

She was one of three potters interviewed and published in Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree.  In this publication, she gives a detailed explanation of the traditional use of wedding vessels at Santa Clara Pueblo. 

She has been extensively published in many books and articles.  The year before she passed away, she gave an interview to the Los Alamos Monitor newspaper which is summarized in Pueblo Indian Pottery - 750 Artist Biographies by Greg Schaaf.

This small bowl features an Avanyu design (water serpent) in deep carved form.  The background behind the Avanyu is matte black and the Avanyu and other areas of the bowl are highly polished.  Teresita was extremely careful to achieve a high polish on her pottery.  This bowl is a good example of that effort.

Condition: this Santa Clara Black Carved Bowl with Avanyu Design is very good condition with only very minor scratches

Provenance: from a gentleman in Alexandria, Virginia

Recommended Reading:  Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree