Magnificent San Ildefonso Polychrome Lidded Jar [SOLD]

Even though Dolorita Vigil died during the influenza epidemic of 1918, long before pueblo pottery was in the mainstream as a collectible, she is still recognized as one of the finest potters of the early 20^th century from San Ildefonso Pueblo.  She was a daughter of Alfonso Vigil (1856 -) and Cipriana Martinez Vigil (c.1860 -) and a sister of famous painter Romando Vigil (1902-1978).  Other losses of the time were Martina Vigil, who passed away in 1916, and Florentino Montoya, who passed away in the influenza epidemic of 1918 as well.  Martina was an aunt of Dolorita and was the one who taught Dolorita the techniques of pottery production. 

The loss of these famous potters before 1920 would be expected to have cast them as unknowns because detailed records were not kept on potters that early.  The 1910 US Census listed Dolorita as a dressmaker with no mention of her as a potter.  Thanks to research and publications by Jonathan Batkin, these potters have been duly documented and brought to the attention of all.  They are now receiving the attention denied earlier. Batkin 1987

Dolorita is known to not only have made pottery but to have painted it as well.  The designs on this lidded jar are witness to her amazing talent.  The birds are the most elaborate and beautiful birds on any jar of the time.  Typical of her work is the application of the white slip over the entire vessel, eliminating the red underbody seen on most San Ildefonso pottery of the time.  This is a technique also used by Martina and Florentino.

Batkin states that “Dolorita was a very skillful potter, although documented examples of her work are scarce—the author knows of only one.”  In regards to this lidded jar, Batkin identified it as clearly by Dolorita.  In a letter to a former owner of the jar, Batkin wrote “This pot is clearly by Dolorita Vigil. . . She was a niece of Martina Vigil and purportedly learned pottery making from Martina and Florentino, despite the fact that her own mother was a potter.  Dolorita died in the influenza epidemic of 1918.  You certainly have seen the work of her daughter, Blue Corn.” Batkin 1987

Condition: remarkable condition with one vertical crack that has been stabilized.  There has been no repair or restoration other than stabilizing the crack.

Provenance:  The jar was photographed by Kenneth Chapman in 1920 at the Julius Gans’ shop in Santa Fe.  Jonathan Batkin stated that Gans was a friend of Doloritas and purchased most or all of her pottery.  He stated that Gans considered her the last of the great, old potters. After it appeared in Gans’ store, the next known owner was George Marsik, a former resident of Chicago and Santa Fe.  Marsik sold most of his pottery collection to the Howard Hustons of Estes Park, Colorado, who later sold their collection to a gentleman in Denver from whom we have now purchased this jar.

Reference: Martina Vigil and Florentino Montoya: Master Potters of San Ildefonso and Cochiti Pueblos by Jonathan Batkin, published in American Indian Art Magazine, Autumn 1987.