Louis and Virginia Naranjo were the parents of noted potter Mary Trujillo.  They were known for their storyteller figures and especially Louis’s bears.  This is a very unusual but fascinating piece of their pottery.  It is meant to be hung on a wall and, traditionally, would hold cornmeal.  The piece is clay and painted with bee-weed (black) and red clay slips. There is a deer and an antelope in relief on the front.  They are separated by a cloud design.  The back of the piece has a step cloud pattern and painted with a sun design.  It still has the original leather cord for hanging it on a wall.  The patining is precise and the dimensionality of the animals add to the charm of the piece.  It is signed on the back, “Louis and Virginia Naranjo”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a creative piece of their exceptional art in clay.