Santa Clara Pueblo Large Black Carved Jar with Avanyu [SOLD]

Special Value Offer: The consignor of this excellent jar has authorized us to reduce the price by 20% from the original price of $6000 to a new price of $4800.

This large jar does not contain the signature of the potter, Christina Naranjo, but has been authenticated and attributed by Mida Tafoya and Dona Tafoya.  There is a photograph of Mida Tafoya holding the jar.  Following is the statement made by the two descendants of Christina:

To Whom It May Concern

Re: Positive identification of large Santa Clara pot attributed to Christina Naranjo

This is to advise that my daughter, Dona and I had the opportunity to see and inspect the subject piece of pottery on 5/22/10. We instantly recognized it as being made [by] my mother, Christina Naranjo. We believe, due to simplicity of design, that this pot was hand coiled, carved, and fired by her early in her career. It was probably completed in the 1920's or early 30's at the latest. She created this pot with what appear to be rain clouds falling from the rim, and an Avanyu (water dragon or serpent) carved around the mid section. It is a beautiful example of my mother's skill to build such a large pot. It measures 11" high by 12" wide at its middle, and has a 6" diameter opening at the top.

I can attest to the fact; there is no doubt in my mind, that this particular piece of pottery was made by my mother, Christina Naranjo. Her granddaughter Dona agrees and we can freely state with certainty and confidence, that this was produced by Christina. We want it known that we were not paid nor coerced to make this identification of the subject pot.

It was brought to us by its current owners....at the suggestion of Toni Roller. Toni is another distinguished Santa Clara potter, and Christina's niece. She phoned us and sent the [current owners] to see us, suspecting we could confirm its maker. We are proud of my mother's work and that she taught us to carry on in the tradition, of Santa Clara pottery.

Attested to by:

///signed///                                                       ///signed///

Mida Tafoya                                                    Dona Tafoya

RE: Additional Information

Please note this added insight to master potter, Christina Naranjo, who was born in 1891 and died in 1980. She is the daughter of the pottery matriarch of the famous Tafoya family, Serafina (aka. Sara Fina) born in 1863 and died in 1949, and wife of Geronimo, also deceased. Christina is the older sister of the well known potter Margaret Tafoya, no longer living. Christina is also an aunt of Toni Roller (Margaret's daughter) who originally referred us to Mida.

Christina Tafoya married Victor Naranjo. They had two sons and four daughters. The four women all became distinguished potters themselves. These included Mary Cain (b. 1915), Teresita Naranjo (b_ 1919) and Mary Louise Ecklebeny (b. 1921); all three are now deceased. The only living daughter is Mida Tafoya (b. 1931) residing on the Santa Clara pueblo near Espanola, New Mexico.

Mida had seven children who all continued the Santa Clara pottery tradition. This included her daughter Dona (b. 1952) who helped with the identification of her Grandmother Christina's pot.

For more references see the "Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery" by the late Rick Dillingham, done in 1994, published by University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. In particular see pages:

185, for the Tafoya family tree

186, portrait of Serafina & Geronimo

212, photo of Christina and one of her pots

226, Sharon Naranjo Garcia mentions her teacher, Christina

230, Mida's pot pictured

231, photo & comments of Mida

235, photo & comments of Dona

Condition:  There are some nicks on the polished surface of the jar, particularly on the head area of the Avanyu, but the jar itself is in excellent structural condition.

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman in Colorado

Recommended Reading: Born of Fire: The Pottery of Margaret Tafoya by Charles King