Santa Clara Pueblo Black Carved Pottery Bowl by Elizabeth Naranjo [SOLD]

This is an extraordinarily well-crafted small bowl by Santa Clara Pueblo potter, Elizabeth Naranjo, not surprising, however, as she is known to have made flawless pottery.  The design is that of the mythological water serpent called the Avanyu.  The head of the serpent rests over its tail, and there is a single bolt of lightning shooting from its mouth.  The execution of the exterior was carried out in three bands—a wide polished section at the rim, the carved outline of the Avanyu in the mid-body, and another wide polished band at the base, extending to the underside.  

Dividing the design into three sections allows the potter to stone polish each section independently, more necessary on large vessels than on one of the size of this one.  The reasoning behind this is that once polishing has begun, it cannot be stopped until it is finished, or the slip will dry.  Polishing section-by-section allows the potter to take a rest more frequently between polishing sections of a large vessel.

The jar’s bottom is signed Elizabeth Santa Clara Pueblo.

Santa Clara Pueblo potter Elizabeth Naranjo was born in 1929. She was the daughter of Pablita Chavarria and Jose Chavarria of Santa Clara Pueblo. She was an exceptional potter who won many awards for her work. Her sisters Clara Shije (1924-2012), Reycita Naranjo (1926-2003), Florence Browning (1931-) and Mary Singer (1936-), are also potters of distinction.  She had a long career, producing many beautiful pottery vessels over the years. Every pottery piece we have seen by this artist has been exceptional. Even small bowls, such as this one, which some may consider insignificant, illustrate her attention to detail. Naranjo passed away in 2017.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Santa Clara Pueblo Black Carved Pottery Bowl by Elizabeth Naranjo is from the estate of a Santa Fe resident

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Santa Clara Pueblo, Pablita Chavarria, Santa Clara Pueblo, Reycita Naranjo, Florence Browning, Mary Singer, Contemporary Southwest Indian Pottery, Elizabeth Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo Potter