Santa Clara Pueblo Matte Black and Stone Polished Black Pottery Jar by Madeline Naranjo [SOLD]

Madeline Naranjo combined traditional Santa Clara polished carved pottery with matte finish around the neck.  It was a very successful innovation.  The matte rim is a velvety finish accent to a highly burnished surface.  Within the body of the jar is a traditional Avanyu design that is highlighted by the matte finish surrounding it.  The Avanyu has an elaborately carved body, and was beautifully burnished.

Santa Clara Pueblo artist Madeline Naranjo (1916-2020) was an active potter beginning in the mid-1930s. She won many awards for her blackware pottery, including numerous ones from Santa Fe Indian Market, the New Mexico State Fair, and the prestigious Governor's Award.  I first met Madeline Naranjo and her daughter, Frances Siow, in the early 1980s when I was purchasing pottery from both. We sold their pottery at the Albuquerque gallery for at least 20 years.  The last Santa Fe Indian Market that she participated in was in 1994 during which she was awarded a ribbon for a carved bowl. Madeline was the wife of Jose G. Naranjo; mother of Fedel Naranjo, Frances Siow and Joseph Naranjo. She is known for her carved blackware bowls, jars, plates, and engagement baskets with carved designs going up the handles.

Madeline had a long and distinguished career.  She died in 2020 at the age of 104.  She was an active potter for about 75 years.  She will be missed by many collectors who cherished her work.

Condition: good condition except for two small spall marks and a slip crack which is not visible except with a magnifier.  

Provenance: this Santa Clara Pueblo Matte Black and Stone Polished Black Pottery Jar by Madeline Naranjo is from the estate of a family from New Mexico

Photography: Andrew Southard

Recommended Reading: Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

Relative Links: Margaret Tafoya, Sara Fina, Santa Clara Pueblo, pottery making, Frances Siow, Madeline Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo Pottery