Montoya, Tomasita – Tan Potsuwi’i Incised Jar (1930’s)

6.25 h X 8.25w

$ 700.00

Tomasita Montoya is one of the early revivalists in San Juan pottery. This is one of her tan pieces inspired by the Posuwi’i incised wares.  The early innovation in San Juan pottery was this style, although typically with a red rim and base.  The fully polished tan is a more unusual (and difficult to polish) style.  The rim and area below the shoulder are fully polished. The center section has incised mountains and river patterns.  Interestingly, the design style of the incised lines on this jar are probably the closest to the actual Potsuwi’i pottery.  It is signed on the bottom with a white clay slip, “Tomasita Montoya”. This style of signing pottery was popular in the late 1930s at Santa Clara Pueblo and also at San Juan.  The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

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

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