Robert Tenorio Fetish Necklace with Pottery Birds [SOLD]

One might not expect to see a necklace from such a famous potter, but Kewa Pueblo artist Robert Tenorio used his skills as a potter 

Robert Tenorio is indisputably one of the finest potters of the 20th century from Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo). He  has never stopped experimenting, learning, and striving to push the envelope. He has tried numerous plants as a source for the black paint, and he has tried numerous clays for the cream slip. Some work, some don't, but he never tires of trying new things.to make 13 pottery birds, and they were strung on a heishi necklace.  The ends of the heishi are capped with silver cones, and there is a four-inch silver chain as an extender.  The birds are each different—some with heads turned straight and some with heads turned to the side, some are black-on-red, some are polychrome, and one is larger than the others.

Robert Tenorio (1950- ) has been a student of pueblo pottery for several years, studying professionally at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) and on his own. He has studied styles, clays, slips, designs and forms. He has mastered the techniques of producing functional, usable pottery for his own use and the use of other members of the pueblo.

Reference: SOUTHERN PUEBLO POTTERY 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

Photos right of Robert Tenorio painting one of his pottery creations are by ©Adobe Gallery and the artist.  

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Kewa - Santo Domingo Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Robert Tenorio, Kewa Pueblo Potter