NEHMA | Collection

Edna Romero

Native American, b. 1936

Jar
1986

Earthenware
7.5 x 8.5 x 8.5 in.
Gift of Nora Eccles Harrison
1986.69

Edna Romero is known for producing very fine, thin-walled pots. This Jar is exceptional for the small animal motif she includes on the lid. While the rest of the pot has been polished to enhance the natural shine of the clay, the coyotelike figure has a matte texture that visually distinguishes the creature from the pot’s surface. The blackened splotches on the body of the vessel are sometimes referred to as “fire clouds,” a term that refers to their development during the firing process and signals the potter’s attention to natural phenomena.

Romero is a member of the Naranjo family of potters headed by Rose Naranjo. Based in Taos, Romero uses the mica-rich clay of the region to make lustrous pottery in the style passed down to her from her progenitors. Like Rose, Edna’s creations are expertly proportioned and relatively undecorated in a manner that balances traditional forms with modern sensibilities.

Danielle Stewart

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