Manuel Vigil Tesuque Pueblo Colorful Nacimiento [SOLD]

Manuel Vigil of Tesuque Pueblo is considered the first pueblo artisan to make Nacimientos. He made his first set around 1959. Although he may have made a thousand sets or more in his 30-plus years of production, each set is different. Some sets were made in Plains Indian dress, some in Pueblo-style clothing, some in Colonial-style dress, and some in plain micaceous clay.

Traditional to Tesuque Pueblo style, his figures were painted after firing. His most popular set is the brightly colored one presented here. It is also the style presented on the cover of the Nacimiento book referenced below.

This set does not have the signature of the artisan; however it is the work of Vigil.  Baby Jesus is dressed in a bright purple garment, and he wears a concho belt and a squash blossom necklace.  He rests on a cradle board that is painted with bright orange in a textile pattern.

Mary and Joseph are both standing with their hands clasped in front.  The other three figures appear to be shepherds but perhaps the artist meant for them to represent the three kings.  Two of them carry a sheep and the third carries a bird.  There are two stand-alone sheep and a dog.

Manuel Vigil (1900 - 1990) is probably the best-known potter of the 20th century from Tesuque Pueblo. He learned to make pottery by the age of seven by watching his mother make pottery.  He specialized throughout his career in making figurine pieces.  He is credited with being the first Native Puebloan to make Nacimientos (Nativity sets).  Pueblo dance figures were a favorite of his.  Later, he made storyteller figurines.

Following an accident in 1948, when a hit-and-run driver ran over him, Manuel lost one leg to amputation. His wife, Vicenta, encouraged him to get back into arts and crafts while he recuperated. He and Vicenta started making pottery together. He would make figurines of pueblo dancers and she would paint them and even make clothing for them. They continued this collaborative effort throughout the remainder of his life.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Manuel Vigil Tesuque Pueblo Colorful Nacimiento is from the collection of a gentleman from North Carolina

Recommended Reading: Nacimientos - Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans by Guy and Doris Monthan