Artist Media Series
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Historic
Montoya, Tomasita & Dominguita Sisneros – Large Tan Incised Jar with Clouds (1960s)
8.5"w x 7"h
$ 775.00
This is a very unusual large tan jar by Tomasita Montoya and her daughter, Dominguita Sisneros. Tomasita was one of the early revivalists in San Juan pottery. This jar is round in shape and the rim and base are both polished tan (the natural color of the clay). Amazingly, the inside of the bowl is also fully polished tan! The exterior is carved with clouds and mountains. They are highlighted with white and red clay. It is signed on the bottom with a red clay slip, “Tomasita Montoya and Dominguita Sisneros”. The open bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
Tomasita was one of the original Eight San Juan potters who revived the art form in the 1930s. The Pueblo was renown for their pottery but by about 1890 there were no potters left. In 1930 Regina Cata organized a pottery study group at San Juan Pueblo with the intent of revitalizing pottery production. The group studied ancient potsherds of wares made at San Juan in earlier times and selected Potsuwi‘i Incised Ware (1450-1500) as a basis for a contemporary pottery type.
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Description
This is a very unusual large tan jar by Tomasita Montoya and her daughter, Dominguita Sisneros. Tomasita was one of the early revivalists in San Juan pottery. This jar is round in shape and the rim and base are both polished tan (the natural color of the clay). Amazingly, the inside of the bowl is also fully polished tan! The exterior is carved with clouds and mountains. They are highlighted with white and red clay. It is signed on the bottom with a red clay slip, “Tomasita Montoya and Dominguita Sisneros”. The open bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
Tomasita was one of the original Eight San Juan potters who revived the art form in the 1930s. The Pueblo was renown for their pottery but by about 1890 there were no potters left. In 1930 Regina Cata organized a pottery study group at San Juan Pueblo with the intent of revitalizing pottery production. The group studied ancient potsherds of wares made at San Juan in earlier times and selected Potsuwi‘i Incised Ware (1450-1500) as a basis for a contemporary pottery type.
https://kinggalleries.com/revival-rising-ohkay-owingeh-pottery-1930s-60s/
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Tomasita Montoya was one of the original 7 San Juan potters who revived the art form in the 1930's. Her daughters Rosita de Herrera and Dominguita Herrera learned to make pottery from her.
The Pueblo had a wonderful history of pottery making, but by about 1890 there were no potters left. In 1930 Regina Cata organized a pottery study group at San Juan Pueblo with the intent of revitalizing pottery production. The group studied ancient potsherds of wares made at San Juan in earlier times and selected Potsuwi‘i Incised Ware (1450-1500) as a basis for a contemporary pottery type. By the late 1930s, further development resulted in deeply-carved polychrome wares, and incised wares, both of which are still being produced today.
Tomasita was especially known for her incised red ware jars, bowls, and vases. The decoration on these vessels was primarily fine line geometric hatching. On occasion she utilized micaceous clay, adding some texture and sparkle to the geometric elements. Tomasita also made deeply carved polychrome pieces which included designs of clouds, kiva steps, and plants.
Dominguita Sisneros Naranjo is a daughter of noted Okay Owingeh potter Tomasita Montoya and a sister of Rosita de Herrera. She is known for her use of deeply carved and incised designs along with classic pueblo imagery.
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Montoya, Tomasita (1899-1978)
Tomasita Montoya was one of the original 7 San Juan potters who revived the art form in the 1930's. Her daughters Rosita de Herrera and Dominguita Herrera learned to make pottery from her.
The Pueblo had a wonderful history of pottery making, but by about 1890 there were no potters left. In 1930 Regina Cata organized a pottery study group at San Juan Pueblo with the intent of revitalizing pottery production. The group studied ancient potsherds of wares made at San Juan in earlier times and selected Potsuwi‘i Incised Ware (1450-1500) as a basis for a contemporary pottery type. By the late 1930s, further development resulted in deeply-carved polychrome wares, and incised wares, both of which are still being produced today.
Tomasita was especially known for her incised red ware jars, bowls, and vases. The decoration on these vessels was primarily fine line geometric hatching. On occasion she utilized micaceous clay, adding some texture and sparkle to the geometric elements. Tomasita also made deeply carved polychrome pieces which included designs of clouds, kiva steps, and plants. Sisneros-Naranjo, Dominguita (b. 1942)
Dominguita Sisneros Naranjo is a daughter of noted Okay Owingeh potter Tomasita Montoya and a sister of Rosita de Herrera. She is known for her use of deeply carved and incised designs along with classic pueblo imagery.