Roybal, Tonita – Jar with Bird Tail and Dance Tassel Design (1920’s)
$ 2,200.00
Tonita Roybal remains one of the great innovative names in San Ildefonso pottery. This is a classic jar by Tonita Roybal. The shape of the jar is one that she created with a high shoulder and sloping side. This form is one that is an instant visual cue to her work. The shoulder has a painted rain cloud. The sloping sides of the jar have bird tails with thin lines. The round design with the three lines represent the tassel on the end of a men’s sash. It extends between two mesa designs. The jar is delicately painted and highly polished. It was fired to a glassy black. Stunning! The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Tonita”. It is in very good condition with no structural cracks, restoration, or repair.. It is a beautiful piece of her creativity in clay.
In stock
Tonita Roybal remains one of the great innovative names in San Ildefonso pottery. This is is one of her larger pieces. The jar has a long neck and a low shoulder. It was a shape for which she was famous (see photo). The design is the classic water serpent (avanyu), which is painted around the shoulder. The jar is very highly polished and fired with a range of color from black to gunmetal. Interestingly, when she would fire these long neck jars they would be fired on their side! This jar has a slight lean to the form which is not unexpected as they were often fired with multiple pieces. However, the size and classic design are the dynamic parts of this amazing jar! It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Tonita”. It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
