Taos Pueblo Pottery Turtle By Edna Romero

Late 20th Century

1.25" H x 4.25" L x 3.125" W

Hand Crafted from Micaceous Clay of a Turtle with Four Legs, a Head and a Tail

From a Private Colorado Collection

In Very Good Condition

Edna Romero (née Naranjo, b. 1936) is a respected potter associated with Taos Pueblo pottery, working primarily in micaceous clay traditions.

Born at Santa Clara Pueblo as the eldest of eight children of renowned potter Rose Naranjo and Michael Naranjo, Edna moved with her family to Taos Pueblo around age 18 when her father became a pastor there. The family supplemented income with pottery; they used readily available micaceous clay (sparkling with mica flakes), producing pieces in natural buff/golden tones or black.

While many siblings (e.g., Rina Swentzell, Jody Folwell, Nora Naranjo-Morse) became prominent artists, Edna pursued education at Baylor University and a long career as a teacher, principal, and Bureau of Indian Affairs consultant. She began making pottery more seriously around 1984 after her mother encouraged her. Her husband and family helped with clay preparation and firing. She retired from education in 1991 and focused more on pottery.