San Juan Revival Polychrome Carved Jar [SOLD]

In 1930 Regina Cata organized a pottery study group at what was then San Juan Pueblo with the intent of revitalizing pottery production. The group studied ancient potsherds of wares made at San Juan in earlier times and selected Potsuwi‘i Incised Ware (1450-1500) as a basis for a contemporary pottery type.

By the 1950s, further development resulted in deep carved Polychrome wares, which are still being produced today.  On this type, the rim zones and underbodies are highly polished red slip while the main body of the vessel remains matte. The design is carved and painted in the main body zone.

This San Juan Revival Polychrome Carved Jar is an excellent example of the mid-20^th century revival style of San Juan pottery. The potter chose rain and cloud designs as her motif for the band surrounding the vessel body.

Rosita De Herrera and her sister, Dominguita Naranjo, along with their mother, Tomasita Montoya, were the predominant potters producing both styles of revival pottery at the pueblo in the last half of the 20^th century.  Their pottery was in demand by collectors and dealers.  I recall how difficult it was in the 1980s to purchase pottery from those three because a dealer in Albuquerque by the name of Cox seemed to purchase everything they made.  Every time I went to the pueblo to purchase from them, they always said “Mr. Cox has taken everything we had.”

Condition: The bowl is in excellent structural condition; however, there are some very minor scratches in the polished red rim, but they are not significant.

Provenance: from a resident of Santa Fe who is downsizing his collection.

Recommended Reading: Pueblo Pottery of the New Mexico Indians: Ever Constant, Ever Changing by Betty Toulouse