This is a classic carved plate by Tomasita Montoya.  She was one of the early revivalists in San Juan pottery. This jar is both incised and carved.  The rim and base are fully polished red. The design is a flower with incised and more deeply carved areas. The flower and the leaf are both deeply carved while the stem is incised.  The imagery is highlighted with various clay slips.  Definitely a striking piece by Tomasita!  The bowl is in excellent condition with no cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed, “Tomasita Montoya” on the bottom.   There is the original “$3.50” sticker on the bottom!

Tomasita was one of the original Eight San Juan potters who revived the art form in the 1930s.  The Pueblo was renowned 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.

“Revival Rising” Ohkay Owingeh Pottery 1930s-60s