Santa Clara Pueblo Black Pottery By Florence Brawning

Mid/Late 20th Century

4.25" H x 5.125" D

Hand Coiled Blackware with Deep Carved Water Serpent Design

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

Florence Browning (born 1931) is a respected Santa Clara Pueblo potter from a renowned family of artisans. She is the daughter of Pablita Chavarria (a matriarch known for carved blackware) and one of five sisters—all accomplished potters—including Clara Shije, Reycita Naranjo, Elizabeth Naranjo, and Mary Singer. The family is famous for traditional blackware, often featuring deeply carved (incised or sgraffito) designs like the avanyu (water serpent), geometric patterns, or other motifs. Florence specialized in traditional carved Santa Clara pottery, though she produced less during her years working for the Indian Health Service; she later became more prominent and demonstrated techniques at places like Bandelier National Park.

Santa Clara Blackware is made using a reduction-firing technique (smothering the fire with materials like dung to limit oxygen), turning the clay a deep, glossy black with polished surfaces and contrasting matte carved areas. The water serpent (Avanyu) is a sacred Tewa/Pueblo motif symbolizing water, life, renewal, clouds, lightning, and guardianship. It often appears as a horned or plumed serpent with flowing, curved lines.