9 11 Remembrance Jar by Robert Tenorio [SOLD]

This extraordinarily moving jar was made by revered Kewa Pueblo potter Robert Tenorio in 2002 as a tribute to those who tragically lost their lives on September 11, 2001 in New York City. By adding the two towers painted on the side of the jar, he also remembers the magnificent structures that were taken from the New York City skyline that day, marking the end of a prosperous and high-spirited era in the city and ushering in a more mournful, reflective period, not only in New York but across America and in the world.

Traditional bold orange, cream, and black colors are used throughout both the interior and exterior of the jar, and symmetrical bands with varying designs are displayed from the bottom to the top. The jar's form is similar to a common ancestral design popularized by the Aguilar sisters and other Kewa artists, with the personalized modification of a more robust shoulder and a shorter, wider neck.

One hopeful and symbolic feature of the jar is the inside, showcasing four graceful and cheerful birds (see below), perhaps hinting at the opportunity for hope and optimism beneath the sorrowful and heavy-hearted surface. The birds actually evolve in a counter-clockwise direction starting with a smaller, black and white bird and developing into a full bodied, richly colored bird with a deep orange torso and feathers. Lastly, there is a small hand carved in the middle of the four birds, on the base of the jar. This offers a connection between the symbolic inspiration of the birds and the human spirit.

The outside of the jar includes a ceremonial line break on one side. This is a classic characteristic of pueblo pottery, symbolizing the concept that no matter how much darkness is encountered, there is always a pathway to light. On a jar dedicated in tribute to the victims, their families and all who were affected by that heartbreaking day, this long-established indigenous custom couldn't be more appropriate.

The bottom of the jar is signed Robert Tenorio, KEWA 2002 and includes a half-moon and a cross.

Robert Tenorio (1950- ) is an artist from KEWA, or Santo Domingo Pueblo. Tenorio began his artistic career as a jeweler before moving into pottery making. At first, he created stoneware, and then he transitioned to traditional methods and materials. Tenorio has evolved into one of the most significant Pueblo potters of today, creating works that have an attractively modern look while being made with ancestral designs and natural materials. He has exhibited widely and received many notable awards and accolades for his work.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this 9 11 Remembrance Jar by Robert Tenorio is from a private collection

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

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Kewa - Santo Domingo Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Robert Tenorio