Santa Clara Pueblo Modern Carved Blackware Jar by Elizabeth Naranjo [SOLD]

This large and modern blackware jar was created by Elizabeth Naranjo of Santa Clara Pueblo. At just under sixteen inches in height and almost a foot in diameter, this is a large and impressive jar. Its creation undoubtedly required incredible amounts of skill and time. Naranjo's work with this piece is strong by any measure.

Rather than increasing the amount of design elements to cover the large vessel, Naranjo wisely chose to expand the scale of a few classic design elements to suit the jar's impressive size. Her primary design is an Avanyu (water serpent) figure that circles the jar's widest point. Above it, a band of rectangular spirals circles the jar's shoulder. From the carved area that defines these spirals, vertical lines emerge, forming feather designs around the jar's long neck. The carving is consistently precise throughout, and the jar's polished surface is perfectly smooth, glossy, and reflective. This jar is an exemplary piece of contemporary Santa Clara blackware.

The jar's bottom is signed Elizabeth Naranjo, Santa Clara Pueblo.

Santa Clara Pueblo artist Elizabeth Naranjo (1929-2017) had a long career, producing many beautiful pottery vessels over the years. Her work was well above the average for blackware. Every pottery piece she made was exceptional—even small bowls, which some may consider insignificant, illustrate her attention to detail. Naranjo 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, including numerous prizes at Santa Fe Indian Market. Her sisters, Clara Shije, Reycita Naranjo, Florence Browning, and Mary Singer are also potters of distinction.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Santa Clara Pueblo Modern Carved Blackware Jar by Elizabeth Naranjo is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

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