Pottery so Beautiful, You Could Eat Off It

Pottery so Beautiful, You Could Eat Off It
Photo by Jennifer May

Two essential questions always arise when you see beautiful pottery dishware: Can you eat off it and can you put it in the dishwasher?

With Jane Herold’s work, it’s never an issue. 

Her dishes are used at some of the world’s top restaurants and, as she happily says, “They can survive five washings every night in an industrial dishwasher!” So: No problem. 

Herold and her husband, the painter/sculptor Robert Adzema, have only recently moved to Cornwall, Conn., from just outside New York City. That means, of course, that it’s much more difficult for chefs to come by and talk custom dishware with her.

But it means it’s much easier for Tri-state residents (lucky us) to meet Herold, talk about kilns and ash and clay with her, and possibly purchase some dishes, pitchers, beakers and more. 

Prices and a rough sense of what her shapes and colors look like can be determined ahead of time at her website, www.janeherold.com. 

If you’re unsure about the potential gorgeousness of Herold’s work when combined with edibles, you can find images of her dishes and bowls with chef-prepared food on it on Instagram (search for #janeheroldpottery).

One warning: Herold cautions against heating food in the microwave, especially frozen food, on her pottery. 

She has found that the handmade ware gets damaged when it has very cold food on it and is then subjected to the high temperatures generated by a microwave oven.

If you’re driving through Cornwall, you can’t miss Herold’s home and studio and shop: It’s the place with the little roadside shack that has a few pieces of pottery on a shelf outside, and a sign indicating that you’ve found Jane Herold Pottery. 

There aren’t actually any ceramic pieces in the small outbuilding. You’ll need to come up to the house. 

“Don’t be shy about coming up the driveway,” Herold said. “Visitors are very welcome — and there’s no pressure to buy anything.”

You can email or call ahead of time and make an appointment, or you can just stop by. 

An added incentive to visit: Herold’s husband, Robert, specializes in crafting massive, gorgeous, sculptural metal sundials, many of which are in public spaces (including one on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River, facing Manhattan) as well as in the gardens of many private homes. 

He also makes lovely plein air watercolors of our region, which are for sale in their shared shop  (see his work at www.robertadzema.com).

For those who do feel a little bashful about being alone with the artists, Herold will hold several open house events on the first two weekends of December, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. on the Sundays. 

To find out more about Jane Herold and her pottery, and to get email updates on her open house/open studio events in December, go to www.janeherold.com. 

If you want to stop by, send her a text at 845-304-8208. 

Latest News

Nonnewaug sweeps BL soccer titles
Nonnewaug sweeps BL soccer titles
Nonnewaug sweeps BL soccer titles

WOODBURY — Nonnewaug High School claimed twin titles in the Berkshire League soccer tournament finals.

The school's girls and boys teams were named league champions after finishing the regular season with the best win/loss records. Winning the tournaments earned each team a plaque and added to the program's success in 2025.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joan Jardine

TORRINGTON — Joan Jardine, 90, of Mill Lane, passed away at home on Oct. 23, 2025. She was the loving wife of David Jardine.

Joan was born Aug. 9, 1935, in Throop, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Joseph and Vera (Ezepchick) Zigmont.

Keep ReadingShow less
Celebration of Life: Carol Kastendieck

A Celebration of Life for Carol Kastendieck will be held on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Salisbury, 30 Main St., Salisbury, Connecticut.

Día de los Muertos marks a bittersweet farewell for Race Brook Lodge

The ofrenda at Race Brook Lodge.

Lety Muñoz

On Saturday, Nov. 1, the Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield will celebrate the Mexican Day of the Dead: El Día de los Muertos.

Mexican Day of the Dead takes place the first weekend of November and honors los difuntos (the deceased) with ofrendas (offerings) on an altar featuring photos of loved ones who have passed on. Elements of earth, wind, fire and water are represented with food, papel picada (colorful decorative paper), candles and tequila left for the beloved deceased. The departed are believed to travel from the spirit world and briefly join the living for a night of remembrance and revelry.

Keep ReadingShow less