San Juan Pueblo Pottery By Tomasita Montoya

ca. 1940 - 1950

4" H x 6.375" D

Hand Coiled Polychrome Redware Clay with Deep Carved Geometric Patterns

In Overall Excellent Condition An Exceptional Example

Tomasita Reyes Montoya (1899–1978) was a renowned potter from Ohkay Owingeh (formerly known as San Juan Pueblo) in northern New Mexico, a Tewa-speaking Native American community with deep roots in ancestral pottery traditions. She played a pivotal role in the "San Juan Revival" of the 1930s, a cultural movement that breathed new life into Pueblo pottery making after it had nearly vanished by the early 20th century due to commercialization and loss of traditional knowledge. Montoya's work exemplifies the blend of ancient techniques and innovative designs that defined this revival, influencing generations of potters, including her own daughters.