Description
Traditional handmade Native American Indian Pottery from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Excellent vintage condition.
A true hallmark of Southwestern ceramic history, the black-on-black style pioneered at San Ildefonso Pueblo is beautifully represented in this vintage jar by Florence Naranjo. Formed entirely by hand using ancient coiling techniques, this vessel features a graceful, squat silhouette with an incurving shoulder. The lower body was meticulously hand-rubbed with a smooth river stone to achieve a brilliant, mirror-like gloss, providing a radiant contrast to the painted design encircling the neck.
To create this striking effect, the artist painted the intricate geometric motifs using a liquid clay slip before the piece was fired. During the highly demanding traditional reduction firing process, the outdoor fire is smothered to trap carbon, turning the iron-rich clay to a deep, lustrous black. The stone-polished areas remain highly glossy, while the painted slip turns a smooth matte black. This vintage jar is a stunning, sophisticated piece that captures the masterful legacy of San Ildefonso artisanship.
