Elaborate Cochiti Pueblo Bowl [SOLD]

Teresita Romero was best known for making large jars and storyteller-like figurines. She was active only from around 1910s to 1960s, so her pottery is rather difficult to find. This is only the second pottery of hers that we have ever had, the other one being an olla.

Her grandsons, Mateo Romero and Diego Romero, have continued in the tradition of the pueblo artisans, but in a more contemporary and expressive manner than the family tradition.

Examples of Teresita's pottery are included in the Alexander Girard Collection of Folk Art at The Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. She was also exhibited in the "One Space, Three Visions" exhibit that opened at the Albuquerque Museum in 1979. A seated female holding a plate of oven bread is in the collection of The Laboratory of Anthropology in Santa Fe.

This bowl is exquisitely decorated on the interior and exterior. The interior design is a single element that features plant life and lightning, clouds and rain. Perched on top of the design element is a charming spotted bird. The exterior of the bowl features six vertical elements that have what appear to be feathers protruding outward from the checkerboard design. Suspended from the framing line just below the rim are clouds.

The underside of the bowl is stone polished red slip with a wiped-on red band of micaceous clay just below the lower framing line. The artist's signature Teresita Romero is written in pen on the base of the bowl.

Condition: The bowl is in excellent condition and is visually a masterpiece from a potter of significant talent.