Joe and Eunice Naranjo

Santa Clara Pueblo

Joe Naranjo was born and raised at Santa Clara Pueblo. He learned to make pottery from his mother as he was growing up. When he and Eunice met, they fell in love. She was Navajo and, contrary to tradition, she moved to his home at Santa Clara after the wedding. Their specialty is the polished and carved black pottery Santa Clara Pueblo has become famous for. They also produce animal figures, wooly sheep in particular.

There is an interview with Joe, Eunice and their cousin, Kevin Naranjo where they demonstrate how they make their pottery and what the shapes and designs mean to them. The video was live-streamed in August, 2020.


Geometric design carved into a polished black jar
Carved polished black jar with geometric design
4 in H by 5 3/4 in Dia
Geometric designs carved into a polished flat-topped black jar
Carved flat-topped polished black jar with geometric designs
3 in H by 7 1/4 in Dia
Sgraffito feather, bear, tree, bear paw, avanyu and geometric design on a black jar
Black jar with sgraffito feather, bear, tree, bear paw, avanyu and geometric design
8 1/2 in H by 6 1/4 in Dia
Geometric designs carved into the black matte band around the shoulder of a black jar
Polished black jar carved with geometric designs in the matte black band around the shoulder
4.25 in Dia by 3.25 in H
A highly polished black bowl with an avanyu design carved around the neck and shoulder
A highly polished black bowl with an avanyu design carved above the shoulder
4.5 in H by 15.25 in Dia

Santa Clara Pueblo Potters