Santa Clara Pueblo Miniature Pottery By Gracie Naranjo

Late 20th/Early 21st Century
Size: 1" H x 3" D
Black on Black Miniature Pottery Dish
From a Private Colorado Collection
Excellent Condition
Gracie Naranjo (1938-2002) was a distinguished Santa Clara Pueblo potter, also of Navajo descent, known for her traditional hand-crafted blackware pottery. Her work often featured deeply carved designs, such as the stylized Avanyu (a water serpent symbolizing renewal and rain), geometric patterns, and kiva step motifs, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Santa Clara Pueblo. Naranjo’s pottery was meticulously hand-coiled, shaped, sanded, stone-polished to a high shine, and fired in an open fire, often using manure to achieve the characteristic black finish.