Tonita Roybal was a potter, early at the beginning of the 20th century, who probably started making pottery as early as 1905 and continued until she passed away in 1945. Her earliest documented pot is 1909, located in the Denver Art Museum. Many collectors are not familiar with the pottery of Tonita Roybal because she passed away so early, but one dealer and collector was an all-time fan of her work. Richard M. Howard of Santa Fe believed she was probably the finest potter at San Ildefonso in the first half of the 20th century but was overshadowed by fame bestowed on Maria Martinez. Over a number of years, he put together a collection of perhaps a hundred pottery vessels by Tonita and his collection was displayed and sold by Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe in 2007 just shortly before Mr. Howard passed away.
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