Tall and Slim Black Carved Jar [SOLD]

Black pottery from the Tewa Pueblos has been made since prehistoric times, first as functional vessels that were stone-polished to seal the walls for strength. It was not until the early- to mid-20^th century that non-functional, highly burnished, carved-designed vessels began to be made.  They are non-functional because they are fired at a lower temperature than the prehistoric vessels, the purpose being to achieve a higher burnish.  The older vessels would hold water but these newer ones will not do so without damage to the finish and eventual destruction of the vessel.

This jar by Elizabeth Naranjo was made as a work of art by a potter who regularly produces Santa Clara Pueblo's finest black polished and carved wares.  Elizabeth is a daughter of Pablita Chavarria, who was a potter.  Her sisters are Clara Shije, Reycita Naranjo, Florence Browning and Mary Singer, all of whom are recognized as exceptional potters.  This is a very talented family.

The body of this jar features an Avanyu wrapped around the vessel.  It was achieved by carving away the surrounding clay while the clay was leather-hard.  A polished vessel, either in red or black, must be polished in its entirety without interruption.  Failure to do so would allow the slip to dry and therefore not be able to be polished.  This can be eased to some extent by separating the design into sections so slip can be applied and polished in sections.

In this jar, slip would have been applied to the long neck, stopping at the line of demarcation at the shoulder. That portion would then be stone polished.  Next, slip would be applied to the mid-body section and polished, and, finally, the same procedure would be carried out on the lower portion.  After a section is polished, it cannot be handled by hand before it is fired.  That adds to the procedure and separates the average potter from the experienced and outstanding potter.

This exceptional jar is signed:

Elizabeth Santa Clara Pueblo

Condition: excellent condition

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

Provenance: 

- from the state of a gentleman from South Dakota