Magnificent San Ildefonso Black-on-red Historic Pottery Jar

This Magnificent San Ildefonso Black-on-red Historic Pottery Jar is featured in the book Generations in Clay on page 64, with the following description:

"San Ildefonso Black-on-Red, Ca. 1900. Height 21.6 cm. Diameter 29.3 cm. Marjorie and Charles Benton Collection, Evanston, Ill. This type began to be made in the late 1800s, spanning the interval between San Ildefonso and Tunyo polychrome. The changes in its shape and design usually paralleled those of the polychromes."

A jar of the same shape and similar design is also published in Francis Harlow's Matte Paint Pottery on page 178, which states:

"This fine jar was made by Dominguita Pino of San Ildefonso. This example of San Ildefonso Black-on-Red shows a return to something resembling Ogapoge Polychrome shapes. It appears that Powhoge Polychrome vessels were never made in this form, so the recurrence at San Ildefonso represents outside influence, perhaps from Santa Clara. Little of the previous Powhoge Polychrome tradition is present in the designs on this jar. Date 1880-1900."

Additionally, another jar of the same shape and style is illustrated in Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians 1600-1880 by Larry Frank and Francis H. Harlow (page 59), where the authors attribute it to Dominguita Pino:

"This San Ildefonso Black-on-Red water jar also was made by Dominguita Pino. Though several traditional traits have been eliminated, it is in the style of San Ildefonso Polychrome, with a shape newly borrowed from nearby Santa Clara Pueblo. Notice the extremely narrow underbody, surmounted by a broad middle body and nearly vertical neck. Indicative of a late date are the black rim top, a Cochiti trait introduced by the Montoyas, the decoration within the rim, and the absence of a red band below the decorated area."

These publications collectively indicate that all jars of this specific shape and style have been definitively identified as the work of Dominguita Pino. Known for her exceptional Black-on-Red pottery, Dominguita collaborated with various family members to paint her vessels, including her son Crescencio Martinez, her daughter Tonita Roybal, her husband Santiago Martinez, and her son-in-law Alfredo Montoya.

The jar's painted designs vary in intensity between the neck and mid-body. The neck features two distinct decorative elements: a band of slanted horizontal black bars representing clouds, positioned just beneath the rim, and a series of pods with exposed seeds. These elements are framed by pairs of lines at both the neck and shoulder. The main body alternates between bold black cloud motifs and smaller dual cloud-and-rain elements. Inside the rim, a continuous undulating black band symbolizes clouds. The lower portion of the jar remains unpainted, showcasing the smooth, stone-polished natural tan clay.

Jonathan Batkin, former director of the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, highlighted Dominguita Pino in a 1991 article for American Indian Art Magazine. In discussing three great San Ildefonso potters, he noted:

"Dominguita and her husband, Santiago, along with their children, made some of the most beautiful pottery of the early twentieth century. Like her contemporaries, Ba Tse and Martina Vigil, Dominguita made some extremely large vessels."

Dominguita's children included Crescencio Martinez, Alfonsita Roybal, and Tonita Roybal. Her grandson was Alfonso Roybal (Awa Tsireh), and her granddaughter was Santana Martinez, wife of Adam Martinez.

This jar stands as an extraordinary example of Dominguita Pino's artistry, reflecting her influence in shaping San Ildefonso pottery traditions.

Dominguita Pino Martinez (1860-1948) is generally recorded as Dominguita Pino, without her married name Martinez. We have chosen to use her full married name to distinguish her from a Zia Pueblo potter by the name of Dominguita Pino.

Condition: at approximately 140 years of existence, this Magnificent San Ildefonso Black-on-red Historic Pottery Jar has remained in excellent condition.

Provenance: Previously Marjorie and Charles Benton Collection, Evanston, Ill. A paper label on the underside states " Del Gadio Col."

References:

- Harlow, Francis H."Matte-Paint Pottery of the Tewa, Keres, and Zuni Pueblo". Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe. 1973.

- Frank, Larry and Francis H. Harlow. "Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians 1600-1880". New York Graphic Society, Boston. 1974.

- Dittert, Alfred E. Jr. and Fred Plog. "Generations in Clay: Pueblo Pottery of the American Southwest". Northland Press, Flagstaff. 1980.

TAGS: Dominguita Pino Martinez (San Ildefonso Potter), San Ildefonso Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Alfonso Roybal (Awa Tsireh), Santiago Martinez, Jonathan Batkin, American Indian Art Magazine, Martina Vigil, Dominguita Pino (of Zia Pueblo)