Large Carved Avanyu Red Jar by Teresita Naranjo [SOLD]

This very large storage jar is one of Teresita Tafoya Naranjo's early masterpieces. The upper half of the jar features a carved Avanyu design, while the lower half is stone-polished red slip. Teresita was a master potter known for producing magnificent vessels, and this jar is no exception. The burnish is smooth and consistent, and the carving is beautifully executed to a consistent depth. This jar makes a striking visual impression.

Teresita Tafoya Naranjo (1919-1999), also known as Apple Blossom - Bay-Po-Vi, was the daughter of Christina Naranjo and the granddaughter of Sara Fina Tafoya. She is recognized as one of the finest 20th-century potters at Santa Clara Pueblo, a notable achievement given the many talented potters from this community. Her unexpected death in 1999 was a significant loss to pottery collectors.
Active from 1935 to 1999, Teresita was known for her black and redware carved works in the Santa Clara style. After her husband's death in 1950, she supported her family solely through her pottery sales.

Teresita was one of three potters interviewed and featured in "Santa Clara Pottery Today" by Betty LeFree, where she provided a detailed explanation of the traditional use of wedding vessels at Santa Clara Pueblo. Her work has been extensively published in many books and articles. The year before her passing, she gave an interview to the Los Alamos Monitor newspaper, which is summarized in "Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies" by Greg Schaaf.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Large Carved Avanyu Red Jar by Teresita Naranjo is from a collector in Durango, CO

Recommended Reading: Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree, University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 1975

TAGS: Santa Clara Pueblo, Christina Naranjo, Stella Tafoya Chavarria, Margaret Tafoya, Sara Fina Tafoya, Pueblo Pottery, Teresita Naranjo