Naranjo, Elizabeth
Elizabeth Naranjo was born to Pablita Chavarria and Jose Chavarria of Santa Clara Pueblo in 1929. Like her sisters Florence Browning, Stella Chavarria, Reycita Naranjo, Clara Shije and Mary Singer, Elizabeth learned the traditional art of making pottery from their mother.
Elizabeth was most known for her large, black, deeply carved wedding vases and jars, but she did make many smaller pieces (including miniatures) and some black-on-black pieces with painted designs. Her favorite designs included the avanyu (the mythical Tewa water serpent), clouds, feathers and kiva steps.
The One Space/Three Visions tri-cultural exhibit at the Albuquerque Museum in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979 included some of Elizabeth’s work. As a potter of the Chavarria family, Elizabeth was also included in 1994s Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery. Elizabeth’s work can be seen in places like the Denver Art Museum and the Heard Museum in Phoenix.
Elizabeth passed away in 2017.
Some Awards Earned by Elizabeth
- 1981 Santa Fe Indian Market – Second Place
- 1984 Santa Fe Indian Market – Best of Division, traditional incised, large black carved wedding vase;
– First Place, jar over 8 inches tall;
– First Place, wedding vase - 1986 Santa Fe Indian Market – First Place, Carved jar over 8 inches tall;
– First Place, wedding vase - 1989 Santa Fe Indian Market – First Place, wedding vase
- 1990 Santa Fe Indian Market – First Place, carved wedding vase;
– Third Place, carved bowl over 8 inches in diameter - 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market – Third Place, carved jar over 8 inches
- 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market – Second Place, incised jar over 8 inches
Photo of Elizabeth is in the public domain.