Rare Aguilar Kewa Pueblo Black on Red Jar

The Aguilar sisters — Asunción Aguilar Caté and Felipita Aguilar Garcia — along with their sister-in-law, Mrs. Ramon Garcia, were highly skilled potters at Santo Domingo Pueblo (now Kewa Pueblo) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Their early works followed tradition, featuring bold black geometric designs on a creamy white slip. However, around 1910, as pottery sales declined, trader Mr. Seligman at the Santo Domingo trading post encouraged local potters to experiment with new styles in an effort to revive interest.

In response, the Aguilar sisters introduced two innovative decorative styles: one combining red and black with white outlining, and another dominated by black with delicate white accents. It is believed that Asunción Caté favored the black-and-red style, though all three women may have produced both variations. These striking designs covered most of the jar's surface with bold black pigments, accented by red and white.

Despite their ingenuity, these new styles were not immediately embraced, and sales did not see a significant increase at the time. However, by the late 20th century, collectors and scholars began to recognize the Aguilars' groundbreaking contributions, and their pottery became highly sought after.

This Black-on-red jar may have been created by one of the sisters either before or after their stylistic innovations. According to scholar Kenneth Chapman, Black-on-red pottery was produced at Santo Domingo in limited quantities, with only a handful of examples identified. He noted that by 1920, a single potter at the pueblo — likely one of the Aguilar sisters — was still making Black-on-red pieces. The vessel shape and design layout of this jar closely resemble those attributed to them, and Chapman suggested that the creamy red hue was achieved by mixing darker red clay with cream clay.

Santo Domingo Black-on-red pottery is exceedingly rare, particularly from the early 1900s. One of the Aguilar sisters was known to have participated in the 1925 Santa Fe Indian Market, demonstrating that at least one was still producing pottery at that time. However, after their passing, the tradition of Black-on-red pottery at Santo Domingo ceased, as potters returned to the more traditional Black-on-cream style.

This jar is one of only a few of Aguilar Black-on-Red pottery we have had, underscoring its rarity in today's market. It stands as a testament to the Aguilar sisters' artistry, vision, and enduring legacy in Pueblo pottery.

Condition: very good condition with only a few minor abrasions to the paint and a small chip repair to the rim

Provenance: This rare Aguilar Kewa Pueblo Black-on-red Jar, once part of the personal collection of renowned photographer Carl Moon, is now being offered through a client of Adobe Gallery.

Reference and Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Santo Domingo Pueblo—a Detailed Study of the Decoration by Kenneth M. Chapman

TAGS: Asunción Aguilar Caté and Felipita Aguilar Garcia, Santo Domingo Pueblo, Pueblo Pottery, Felipita Aguilar Garcia, Asunción Aguilar Caté