Native American Fine Art and Jewelry

Santa Clara Vintage Bowl by Teresita Tafoya Naranjo

$3,250

Artist: Teresita Tafoya Naranjo
Style: Bowl
Pueblo: Santa Clara, NM
Period: Vintage (1960-1990)
Dimensions: 6” D x 2.5” H
Materials: Santa Clara Clay and Natural Slip
Item: #3711

In stock

Description

Traditional handmade Native American Indian Pottery from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Excellent vintage condition.

Immerse yourself in the exceptional craftsmanship of Santa Clara Pueblo with this magnificent vintage open bowl. Hand-coiled and shaped without the use of a potter’s wheel, this beautifully proportioned, open-top vessel showcases the profound skill of artist Teresita Naranjo. The piece features her signature deep-carved motifs—often drawing upon traditional elements like the Avanyu (water serpent), flowing clouds, or kiva steps. By carving deeply into the thick clay walls before firing, Naranjo created a striking, architectural contrast between the matte recesses and the surrounding surface.

The most breathtaking aspect of this bowl is its finish. Using a smooth river stone, the uncarved surface was painstakingly hand-rubbed for hours to achieve a brilliant, glass-like luster. Fired outdoors in a traditional reduction process to achieve the iconic, rich coloration native to Santa Clara pottery, this piece represents an incredible amount of physical labor and technical precision. Bearing the gentle patina of time, this open bowl is a museum-quality artifact that captures the enduring elegance and ancestral spirit of Pueblo artistry.

About The Artist

Teresita Tafoya Naranjo (1919–1999), whose Tewa name was Apple Blossom, was an absolute matriarch of traditional Santa Clara Pueblo pottery. Born into an extraordinary artistic lineage, she was the daughter of Christina Naranjo and the granddaughter of the famed Sara Fina Tafoya. Surrounded by master potters from birth, Teresita began working with clay as a young girl and quickly developed a reputation for her flawless technique.

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Pueblo

The Santa Clara Pueblo is a member of the Eight Northern Pueblos, and the people are from the Tewa ethnic group of Native Americans who speak the Tewa language. The Pueblo is on the Rio Grande, between Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan Pueblo) to the north and San Ildefonso Pueblo to the south. Santa Clara Pottery and its Pueblo are famous for producing hand-crafted pottery, specifically blackware and redware with deep engravings.

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