Montoya, Florentino and Martina – Polychrome Water Jar (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 water jar has the Cochiti white slip and is painted to the base. The shoulder has a corn design with plant designs above and below. The jar reflects both Martina’s forms and Florentino’s painting.  It is in very good conditoin with no cracks, restoration, or repair. There are a few small chips on the rim.

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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