Tomasita Montoya is one of the early revivalists in San Juan pottery.  She was one of the original 7 San Juan potters who revived the art form in the 1930’s.  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.  This jar is one of those early incised jars.  It is polished red on the top and bottom.  In the center, it is very precisely incised with a linear rain and lightning design. The design is highlighted with a micaceous clay slip and left tan. Note in the last photo, there is an earlier San Juan red and tan jar.  It is nice to compare the contrasting coloration from the early 1900’s with the work from the 1940’s. This jar is in good condition with some minor scratches which are not uncommon for the age.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Tomasita Montoya”.