This is a striking large jar by Teresita Naranjo.  While she was known for her carved pottery, in the 1940s-50s she also created a series of polychrome painted pieces. The jar is fully polished red and painted “red-on-red” with a white outline.  This was a very popular style at the time. The matte red is the same clay as the polished red.  The jar has an avanyu painted onto the surface, encircling the piece. The polished red is a deep coloration. The jar was originally purchased in 1948 from the artist, and there is a note that came with the pottery that indicated the year as well noting that Teresita “puts her soul into her work”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repairs.  There are some small areas of wear on the matte red, which is not unexpected.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Teresita Naranjo”.  Definitely a classic of her pottery art!

“Some of my pieces of pottery are polished inside as well as outside. When we do wrong, we are like my pieces of pottery that I leave rough inside. Even if we polish ourselves outside, we stay rough inside. All my pottery is fired in an open fire, which determines the color. I really do enjoy making pottery, for I know God has given me this talent and the patience to do it.”  —Teresita Naranjo, Spoken Through Clay