San Juan Pueblo Carved Redware Pottery By Tomasita Montoya

ca. 1940 

3.75" H x 5.75" D

Hand Coiled Redware with Carved Geometric Zigzag and Step Motif Design

In Good Condition with a Small Pit on Rim as Pictured

Tomasita Reyes Montoya (1899–1978) was a prominent potter from San Juan Pueblo (now Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo) in New Mexico. She specialized in carved and incised polychrome redware pottery.

By the late 19th century, traditional pottery-making at San Juan Pueblo had largely died out. In the early 1930s, Regina Cata organized a study group of women to revive the art by examining ancient potsherds, particularly Potsuwi‘i Incised Ware from around 1450–1500. Tomasita Montoya was one of the original seven (or eight, per some accounts) potters in this revival.

She began making pottery around 1930 and became known for high-quality traditional and contemporary pieces. She passed away in 1978. Her daughters, Rosita de Herrera and Dominguita Sisneros (or Naranjo/Sisneros), learned from her and also became well-regarded potters; some pieces are signed by both mother and daughter.