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Black pottery by Elaine Salazar SCP 2 1/2" x 4"
From a Private Colorado Collection
Excellent Condition
Elaine Salazar is a contemporary Native American potter from Santa Clara Pueblo in northern New Mexico, specializing in traditional black-on-black and polished blackware vessels that embody the rich Tewa heritage of her community. Born into a renowned lineage of potters, she is the daughter of the acclaimed Frances Naranjo Salazar (1936–2002), who learned the craft from her own mother, the influential Flora Naranjo (1905–1989), a matriarch of Santa Clara pottery known for her large, hand-coiled storage jars and award-winning pieces. Elaine's siblings—sisters Angela Salazar, Sophie Cata (born 1957), and Yolanda Velarde—also carry on this family tradition, creating a multi-generational dynasty of artists who have collectively earned recognition at events like the Santa Fe Indian Market. This deep-rooted apprenticeship from childhood immersed Elaine in the time-honored Pueblo methods, fostering her commitment to preserving and subtly evolving the art form.Trained in the ancient coil-building technique using clay sourced directly from Santa Clara lands, Elaine hand-coils her pottery without the aid of modern tools, sifting and mixing the natural materials to form the signature mud-like consistency. Her pieces undergo stone-polishing for a glossy finish and are fired in outdoor pits, often with materials like horse dung to achieve the deep black coloration through reduction firing—a process that creates the iconic matte and shine contrasts. While her work maintains the Pueblo's emphasis on functional forms like jars, bowls, and vessels, Elaine incorporates subtle geometric motifs, bear paws, feathers, and cloud patterns inspired by Tewa symbolism and the surrounding Rio Grande landscape. These designs evoke harmony with nature, reflecting the spiritual connection to "Mother Earth" central to Santa Clara artistry. Her pots, often signed simply "Elaine Salazar, Santa Clara Pueblo," range from small miniatures (2–3 inches) to larger statement pieces up to 5 inches high, showcasing technical precision and a silky, tactile quality.
Condition:
Excellent
Tribe:
Santa Clara
Year Range:
2000 - Current
Region:
Southwest
Dimensions:
2.5 in4 in
Category:
Pottery Bowls and Jars Post 1940
Artist:
Salazar, Elaine
