Joe Aguilar began his career painting pottery for his mother, Susana Aguilar,  He also made pottery with his wife, Rosalie, through the 1940’s.  From 1940-50 he created a fascinating group of polychrome pottery including both plates and vessels.  He was one of the few potters at the time still using traditional techniques and designs for his work. This is a smaller tile in an unsual shape.  The design has plant, feather, rain and lightning patterns. The tile is unsigned, but it is certainly indicative of Joe’s style of painting, as well as the way he painted both the black and the red.  On the back is one of the stickers which were used in the 1940’s which identified the piece as coming from San Ildefonso Pueblo.  The tile is in good condition with some slight wear but no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. The plate is accompanied by a letter of attribution.For more information on the Early San Ildefonso Innovators, Click Here.