Montoya, Florentino and Martina – Polychrome Open Terrace Bowl (1910-15)

Florentino Montoya (1858–1918) and Martina Peña (1856–1916) became among the best-recognized makers of polychrome pottery. Martina’s shapes had an individually artistic form that is easy to recognize. Her pieces with a rounded neck extending up from an indented shoulder, and her wide-shoulder water jars, are among her classics. They were the first to extend the white slip to the base, creating more space for Florentino’s effusive painted designs. In the early 1900s, they moved for a short while to Cochiti Pueblo and introduced the Cochiti white clay to San Ildefonso as a base color for polychrome pottery. Florentino would often intentionally mismatch the color or designs on his pieces instead of maintaining a consistent repetition of color or imagery on the jar.  This is a unique variation on a very traditional San Ildefonso form.  It is a terrace bowl with three terraces on the piece, with the steps of the mountain terrace creating the shape.  If you look closely, the rim across the entire surface is fully polished.  The piece is fully painted with clouds and plant designs.  The painting perfectly matches the shapes and contours of the bowl.  Simply elegant!  It is in very good condition with no cracks, restoration, or repair.

For example, the leaves of a plant would all be painted black,

except for one set, which would be painted black and red. Florentino also looked beyond the

designs of San Ildefonso, using imagery from other Pueblos, being especially influenced by

the detailed linework of Zuni pottery. Just as Martina’s vessel shapes were unique, Florentino

had his own signature designs and a spectacular painting style.

The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It was published in the book, “Maria and Modernism” and featured in the exhibition at the Heard Museum.

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