Once Known – San Ildefonso Black-on-Red Bird Effigy Jar with Handle, Hummingbirds (1900-1910)

This is an unusual black-on-red pitcher with an animal head for the spout.  The jar is coil-built and painted black on a red rag polished surface.  The shape is round with a handle and spout.  The spout is on the back of the neck, rather than over the top of the jar.  The jar is painted with a hummingbird on each side, The front and back has filigree style plant designs.  The base is slipped with a band of red, along with polished tan.  There are several artists associated with this form, including Dominguita Pino and Tonita Royabl, as well as Maria Martinez.  However, on this piece, there are just not enough indicators to create a strong attribution. The piece was traditionally fired.  It is in very good condition with no chips,  cracks, restoration or repair.  There is an early tag on one side that has “San Ildefonso” written it.  These are the tags associated with the curio shops in New Mexico in the early 1900s.  I would also say, that the style of painting also reminds me of Tesuque pottery, but there seem to be more indicators that it is from San Ildefonso.