The maker of this jar is considered to be Tonita Roybal. It is not signed, however. Tonita has been acclaimed one of the finest potters of the twentieth century. She was a contemporary of Maria Martinez and sometimes collaborated with Maria. In her early years, she not only made all her own pottery, she decorated it as well. Only after she married Juan Cruz Roybal in 1916, did she have someone else paint the pottery for her. After 1930, Juan painted most of the pottery.

The shape of this jar has been compared to some in the extensive Richard M. Howard collection of Tonita’s work. It compares favorably. Based on this comparison, we are attributing it to her hand. It was probably made in the 1920-1930 period and is in extraordinary condition. It has a few scratches, of course.

Jars of this shape were often made by potters at San Ildefonso and Santa Clara Pueblos at the request of collectors who wished to make table lamps of them. There is no indication that this was ever made into a lamp. It has not been drilled for electric wiring.

This is a very impressive jar and a beautiful work of art by a masterful potter.