San Ildefonso Pueblo Historic Pictorial Black-on-red Pottery Pitcher

Artistry in Clay: The Tale of a San Ildefonso Pueblo Pitcher

This Black-on-red historic pottery pitcher was created at San Ildefonso Pueblo as early as 1920. Its body is globular, with an arched handle and a spout that has been carved and painted to depict an open mouth. It is an appealing and well-crafted vessel, with a gorgeous dark red tone and stunning painted designs. There is a painting of a human face on the back side of the canteen. (See photo below).

Similarly styled pieces from this era have been attributed to Tonita Roybal, with paintings by Alfredo Montoya and Crescencio Martinez. During this time, men primarily painted pottery for ceremonial or religious purposes, and only occasionally painted pottery for secular purposes. It is believed that only men painted human images on pottery. We can't say with absolute certainty that any of these artists worked on this piece, but it is not unlikely. Francis Harlow stated that Tonita Roybal was not shy about depicting human figures on her vessels, so perhaps Tonita made this vessel and painted the design as well. (Harlow, 1990: plate 80)

There is much to admire here in the way of lively design work. The spout mouth, around which painted facial features appear, is an absolute delight. Arrows travel along the arched handle, zigzagging in a manner that recalls lightning designs. A triangular form surrounds the spout; two of its vertices link with larger spiral designs. A brilliant design appears on the opposite side, placing a face within a kiva step arch. Vertical lines hang down from the horizontal sections of the kiva steps, suggesting rain. Down below, a symmetrical abstract design provides a body for the face. This is a unique, delightful example of historic San Ildefonso pottery.

Condition: good condition with some abrasion and wear from handling. One vertical crack near the handle. Minor restoration on rim spout.

Provenance: this San Ildefonso Pueblo Historic Pictorial Black-on-red Pottery Pitcher is from a private collection

Reference: Two Hundred Years of Historic Pueblo Pottery: The Gallegos Collection, by Francis H. Harlow

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

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Crescencio Martinez, Tonita Roybal