Tesuque Pueblo 16 Piece Nacimiento [SOLD]

Manuel Vigil is probably the best-known potter of the 20th century from Tesuque Pueblo. He learned to make pottery by the age of seven by watching his mother make pottery. He specialized throughout his career in making figurine pieces. He is credited with being the first Native Puebloan to make Nacimientos (Nativity sets). Pueblo dance figures were a favorite of his. Later, he made storyteller figurines.

Following an accident in 1948, when a hit-and-run driver ran over him, Manuel lost one leg to amputation. His wife, Vicenta, encouraged him to get back into arts and crafts while he recuperated. He and Vicenta started making pottery together. He would make figurines of pueblo dancers and she would paint them and even make clothing for them. They continued this collaborative effort throughout the remainder of his life. 

This nacimiento was made with his daughter Eliza Ruth Vigil and consists of three wise men bearing gifts of buckskin, blanket and multi-strand of beads which could represent a ristra of chili; Mary and Joseph; three shepherds each holding a sheep; two cows, a burrow, three lambs and the Christ Child which is on a colorful clay manger.  All of the human figures are hand formed in native clay and dressed in clothing made of leather.  The hair is made of black yarn decorated with red string.  The animals and the manger are painted in commercial paints.  The nacimiento is signed Manuel Vigil Eliza R Vigil under the manger.

Condition:  very good condition with one broken hand on a figure and a staff missing.

Provenance:  from a Santa Fe collector.

Recommended Reading:  Nacimientos by Guy and Doris Monthan