Tonita Peña Ba Tse, San Ildefonso Pueblo Pottery

San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Tonita Peña, also known as Ba Tse (Yellow Deer), was renowned for her exceptional coiled and hand-painted pottery. Her works are celebrated for their intricate designs and masterful craftsmanship, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Peña's pottery stands out for its beauty and historical significance, making her one of the most esteemed potters of her time.

According to Batkin, "Tonita Peña's pots are among the most beautiful made at San Ildefonso at the turn of the century, and like Martina Vigil, Tonita Peña was among the last potters capable of making large storage jars."

San Ildefonso Pueblo potter Tonita Peña Ba Tse (ca. 1847- ca. 1905) Yellow Deer should not be confused with painter Tonita Peña Quah Ah or potter Toña Peña Vigil. In the Autumn 1991 Issue of American Indian Art Magazine, Jonathan Batkin used census records and personal correspondence to explore Peña's family history, ultimately concluding that she was the great grandmother of Maria Martinez. According to Batkin, "Tonita Peña's pots are among the most beautiful made at San Ildefonso at the turn of the century, and like Martina Vigil, Tonita Peña was among the last potters capable of making large storage jars." Peña was not included in the 1910 census, so we presume that she passed away sometime during the first decade of the twentieth century.

Reference: “Three Great Potters of San Ildefonso and Their Legacy,” Jonathan Batkin, American Indian Art Magazine Autumn 1981.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Historic Pottery, Jonathan Batkin, Tonita Vigil Peña - Quah Ah, Toña Peña Vigil