This is a traditional canteen by Robert Tenorio.  The jar is painted with wild spinach (black).  The canteen sits flat and the bottom is slipped red. The top has a Mimbres-style Big Horn Sheep surrounded by mountains and a cloud design.  The rim of the canteen has a “spirit line” or a break in the painted line around the rim.  This goes back to historic Kewa pottery when the artist would use the spirit line to release their spirit or connection from the vessel.  The canteen is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Robert Tenorio, Santo Domingo”.  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.