This is a very large jar by Robert Tenorio.  It is coil-built and painted with bee-weed (black) and red clay on a white clay background. The jar has birds and flowers around the neck.  Below the birds is a row with a wild-spinach design (looks like a flower on its side).  Around the body of the jar are larger flower patterns.  The inside of the rim is also painted with a linear rain design.  The bottom of the jar is slipped red.  On the base of the jar, you can see the beginning coils for making a piece this size! The jar was traditionally fired so there are slight color variations.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Robert Tenorio, Kewa”.  It was made in 1996.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

Brand

Tenorio, Robert (b. 1950)

 

Robert Tenorio

Robert Tenorio is one of the most famous Kewa (Santo Domingo) potters working today. He learned to make pottery from his grandmother Andrea Ortiz and Lupe Tenorio his great-aunt. He also studied under Otellie Loloma when he went to school at IAIA. He creates classic Santo Domingo forms along with some his own stylistic patterns and shapes. Robert has won numerous awards for his pottery and his pottery is found in museums across the United States.