Pena, Juanita – Black Carved Jar with Avanyu and Clouds (1930’s)
$ 950.00
This is a classic carved jar by Juanita Pena. The pieces is from the 1930’s and has a round body and elongated neck. Juanita had a very distinctive style of carving where she would carve away all the clay but the polished design, giving is a “cameo” style. The neck of the jar has a cloud pattern. Around the body of the piece is an avanyu. The clouds and avanyu are polished, while the remadinder of the piece is matte. It was traditionally fired to a deep black coloration. It is signed, “Juanita + Tony, San Ildefonso” and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
In stock
his wide shoulder bowl by Juanita Pena is from the 1930’s and it is carved with an avanyu as the design. Juanita and Tony Pena had a particular style to their avanyu with the triangular eye. As well, the carving was more in the “cameo” style, as note that the avanyu is in raised relief. It is the small details which are so striking on their work, such as the polished rim and the polish at the base of the bowl. It is signed, “Tony + Juanita, San Ildefonso” and it is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
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Pena, Juanita Montoya (1900 -1987)
Juanita Pena with her pottery in 1939[/caption]
Juanita Pena and Tony Pena (1898-1984) have been an enigma in San Ildefonso pottery. Her work alone and their work together can be found in numerous books and a variety of photos of her are found in various archives, yet there is almost no printed information on their lives or family. However, the pottery created by Juanita and Tony was outstanding in both form and design. They began with black-on-black ware and in the 1930's their work evolved into complex carved designs.
Juanita was related to Martina Vigil Montoya (1856-1916) & Florentino Montoya (1858-1918) (who were known for their polychrome pottery). Tony was related to Encarnacion Pena (Soqueen), who was famous as a traditional style painter and part of the San Ildefonso school of painters. They had at least four children, Ignacio (b. 1920) and Maria Susanita (b. 1925), Rosenita (b. 1926) and Philomena (b. 1928), but none continued the pottery making tradition. They continued to make pottery into the 1950's, but then they stopped as they both were very involved in religious and Kiva activities at the Pueblo which required full time participation.