Large Santo Domingo Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Storage Jar by Robert Tenorio [SOLD]

This is an unusually large jar made by Robert Tenorio of Santo Domingo Pueblo around 1993.  It has a background slip in beige rather than the traditional cream color. The designs were executed in deep black pigment from the leaf of the Rocky Mountain bee plant.  Red slip was used in a beautifully thick application, for the highlights. Sometimes, the red and black are watery and thin in application, but this jar has strong colors.  

The birds are cheerful looking, with open mouths and wide eyes.  They stand on the lower framing line. Each bird is separated from its neighbor by a beautiful blooming flower that grows from the lower framing line.  A vine wraps around the jar, above the birds and flowers. The under body is polished red and the artist’s name is inscribed into the clay. 

Robert Tenorio (1950- ) is an exceptionally talented potter from Santo Domingo Pueblo. Tenorio studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts.  He learned pottery making from Andrea Ortiz and Lupe Tenorio, his grandmother and great aunt, respectively. His works are included in private and public collections around the country.

Condition: this Large Santo Domingo Pueblo Polychrome Pottery Storage Jar by Robert Tenorio  is in very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a family in the process of scaling down its collection as a result of moving to smaller quarters.

Recommended Reading: A RIVER APART, The Pottery of Cochiti & Santo Domingo Pueblos by Valerie Verzuh, et al.

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Kewa - Santo Domingo Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Robert Tenorio, Andrea Ortiz, Lupe Tenorio

Artist image of Robert Tenorio (painting one of his pottery creations) is ©Adobe Gallery.