This is a classic miniature bowl by Teresita Naranjo.  Teresita was a daughter of Christina Naranjo and was known for her deeply carved pottery.   Each piece was coil built, carved, stone polished, and traditionally fired.  This is one of her “engagement baskets”. The sides are fully carved with cloud and wind designs.  There are two interlocking handles, that are fully polished.  Note the depth of the carving and how the designs extend upward from the base using the negative space.  Teresita was one of the first Santa Clara potters to begin designing in this manner.  The bowl is signed on the bottom, “Teresita Naranjo”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

“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