Tesuque Pueblo Standing Female Figurine [SOLD]

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.  He is given credit for making the first Native American-made pottery nativity set.

This figurine is of a Pueblo woman dressed in traditional dress and wearing a tableta, apparently meant to be a figure during a plaza dance.

Condition:  The figurine is in original excellent condition.  It is not signed but there is no doubt that it was made by Manuel Vigil and dressed by Vicenta Vigil.

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust

Recommended Reading:  Nacimientos by Guy and Doris Monthan