Santa Clara Carved Black Pottery Pueblo Pottery by Ursilita Naranjo (1924-1988)

ca. 1960
3.25" H x 4" D
Blackware, Matte Paint.
Thin Walled jar, hand coiled clay pottery with black matte paint.
A handsome work by an accomplished potter.
Ursilita Naranjo was a potter from the Santa Clara Pueblo, known for her work in the 1960s in creating blackware pottery. Here's some context about her and her work:

Santa Clara Pueblo: This pueblo, located north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, has a rich tradition in pottery, particularly known for its polished blackware which has been produced since the late 19th century. The pueblo's potters like Sara Fina Tafoya and her daughter Margaret Tafoya developed techniques like deep carving, which became characteristic of Santa Clara pottery.

Blackware and Matte Paint: In the context of Santa Clara pottery, blackware refers to pots that are fired in a manner that results in a distinctive black color. This technique was further developed by artists like Maria Martinez from the nearby San Ildefonso Pueblo, but Santa Clara potters like Ursilita Naranjo contributed to this style by incorporating matte paint for contrast. The matte finish often served as a background to the polished black surfaces, highlighting intricate carvings or designs.
LWIT: 170821-06