Very Large Polished Red Carved Storage Jar [SOLD]

Teresita Tafoya Naranjo (1919-1999) Apple Blossom - Bay-Po-Vi was the daughter of Christina Naranjo and granddaughter of Sara Fina Tafoya.  She has been acknowledged as one of the finest 20^th-century potters at Santa Clara Pueblo. There have been, and still are, many potters at Santa Clara Pueblo, so to be recognized as one of the finest is not an insignificant compliment.  Her unexpected death in 1999 was a loss to pottery collectors.

This very large storage jar is one of her early masterpieces.  The upper half of the jar features a carved Avanyu design and the lower half is stone-polished red slip.  Teresita was a master potter who always produced magnificent vessels.  This jar qualifies as one of her magnificent ones. The burnish is smooth and consistent and the carving was beautifully accomplished to a consistent depth. This is a beautiful jar that makes a visual impression.

Teresita was active from 1935 to 1999 and was known for her black and redware carved works in the Santa Clara style.  After her husband passed away in 1950, she supported her family solely through sales of her pottery.

She was one of three potters interviewed and published in Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree (see link below for more information on this wonderful book, or click here).  In this publication, she gave a detailed explanation of the traditional use of wedding vessels at Santa Clara Pueblo.  She has been extensively published in many books and articles.  The year before she passed away, 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 Very Large Polished Red Carved Storage Jar is from the collection of a gentleman from Albuquerque

Recommended Reading:

- Santa Clara Pottery Today by Betty LeFree

- Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies by Greg Schaaf

TAGS: Teresita Naranjo, Christina Naranjo, Sara Fina Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo, Avanyu, Southwest Indian Pottery