Christina Naranjo

Santa Clara Pueblo

Christina Naranjo (1891-1980) was a daughter of Serafina Tafoya and Geronimo Tafoya. She was the older sister of Margaret Tafoya and Camilio Tafoya. Among her children were Teresita Naranjo, Mary Cain and Mida Tafoya.

Christina is counted among the matriarchs of the Santa Clara pottery families as she passed her knowledge on to numerous members of her extended family.

Most of Christina's pottery was large, black and deep carved, most often with an avanyu design. She also liked to sand the sharpness off her edges so her work is softer and more rounded than some others. She signed most of her pieces: Christina Naranjo Santa Clara Pueblo.


Avanyu design carved into a polished black jar
Polished black jar carved with avanyu design
4 in H by 7.5 in Dia
Traditional Santa Clara geometric design carved into a black bowl
Black bowl carved with traditional Santa Clara geometric design
2.75 in H by 4.25 in Dia
Geometric design carved into a black wedding vase
Black wedding vase carved with a geometric design
9.25 in H by 8 in Dia
An avanyu design carved into a black jar
Black jar decorated with a carved avanyu design
7.5 in H by 7 in Dia
An avanyu design carved into a tall black jar
Tall black jar carved with an avanyu design
14 in H by 10.5 in Dia
Black jar carved with an avanyu design
An avanyu design carved into a black jar
13.5 in H by 9 in Dia
A large plain polished black jar A plain polished black jar
12.75 in H by 16 in Dia
Black bowl carved with a geometric design
A geometric design carved into a black bowl
3.25 in H by 4.5 in Dia
A stylized avanyu design carved into the side of a black bowl
A black bowl carved with a stylized avanyu design
4.5 in H by 7.25 in Dia

Santa Clara Pueblo Potters