Before the introduction of the iconic black-on-black pottery made famous by Maria and Julian Martinez, the people of San Ildefonso Pueblo were famous for their polychrome and black-on-red painted pottery. During an upcoming exhibition, King Galleries will showcase an important collection of works by influential San Ildefonso potters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Dolorita Vigil (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1883-1918), polychrome water jar, ca. 1910-1915.
Dominguita Pino (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1860-1948), black on red water jar, ca. 1890.
The collection includes pieces by Nicolasa Montoya, who taught her niece Maria Martinez how to make pottery, as well as Dominguita Pino and her daughter Tonita Roybal, who were among the most famous in black-on-red designs. In addition, Florentino and Martina Montoya were renowned for their distinctive shapes and fluid painted designs.
“The San Ildefonso potters from 1890 to 1920 are a reflection of the change from utilitarian usage of pueblo pottery to the folk art era, when potters were making pieces to sell to tourists, museums and early collectors,” gallery owner Charles King explains. “A great example of this was around 1915 when the painted designs began to encompass the entire surface. The jar by Dolorita Vigil is a perfect example of how the designs were painted from the inside of the rim all the way to the base.”
Nicolasa Montoya (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1863-1904), polychrome water jar, ca 1900.
Martina Vigil (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1856-1915) and Florentino Montoya (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1858-1918), polychrome water jar, ca. 1910-15.
King continues, “Polychrome pottery is always the most distinctive and visually striking in San Ildefonso pottery. However, it is the black-on-red that is much less common. The minimal coloration scheme resulted in more complicated designs. The designs are not just more complicated, but also are painted to match and accentuate the shape of the vessel.”
Among one of the most interesting pieces in the collection, King says, is a water jar by Nicolasa Montoya, the aunt of Maria Martinez and the one who taught her to make pottery. “Families were as important in pueblo pottery in the past as they are today,” he adds.
Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1887-1980), polychrome water jar, ca. 1910.
Tonita Roybal (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1892-1945), polychrome water jar, ca. 1905.
Back in Time: San Ildefonso Pottery 1890-1920 will be on view at King Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico, from November 15 to December 1. An opening reception and lectures will be held the first day, Saturday, November 15, from 1 to 3 p.m. —
King Galleries
130 Lincoln Avenue, Suite D • Santa Fe, NM 87501 (480) 440-3912 • www.kinggalleries.com
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