Historic San Ildefonso Polychrome Jar by Martina Vigil and Florentino Montoya, c. 1905

This historic polychrome pottery jar, dating to around 1905, hails from San Ildefonso Pueblo and showcases the distinctive Cochiti slip technique introduced by master potters Martina Vigil and Florentino Montoya. The couple brought this rag-wiped slip to San Ildefonso before permanently relocating to Cochiti Pueblo in 1905. While many San Ildefonso potters quickly adopted this technique, some continued to use the traditional San Ildefonso slip, known for its meticulous stone polishing.

This jar, slightly larger than typical examples from the couple, features a traditional Tewa form, expertly crafted and painted. Two painted bands accentuate the shoulder and neck, with repeating rain cloud motifs that continue onto the inner rim, adding a unique touch.

The transition from Powhoge Polychrome to San Ildefonso Polychrome in the 1890s marked a significant shift in pottery techniques and styles. This era saw the revival of red paint for decorative designs, changes in vessel shapes, and the replacement of red rims with black ones. It was also a time when individual potters began gaining recognition for their distinct contributions, allowing for more accurate attribution of works.

Martina Vigil (1856-1916) and Florentino Montoya (1858-1918) were a married couple from San Ildefonso Pueblo. As Jonathan Batkin has documented, there were several outstanding potters at San Ildefonso Pueblo during the late 1800s and early 1900s whose work can accurately be associated with their names. Following publication of Batkin's studies, it has become easier today to identify late 19th and early 20th century pottery to artists with some degree of accuracy, or so we hope. Due to their unique style, Martina and Florentino are among those artists whose works can be accurately identified. Martina and Florentino were cited as a major influence by Maria Martinez.

Condition: very good condition with no restorations.  There is a very small chip on the rim.

Provenance: this Historic San Ildefonso Polychrome Jar by Martina Vigil and Florentino Montoya, c. 1905 is  from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading: Pottery of the Pueblos of New Mexico 1700-1940 by Jonathan Batkin

TAGS:  Jonathan Batkin, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Maria Martinez, Pueblo Pottery, Tonita Peña