Reyecita Trujillo Polychrome Ohkay Owingeh Jar

This small carved jar by Reyecita Trujillo of Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan Pueblo) is a beautifully executed example of early 20th-century revival pottery. Its globular form is well balanced, with a gracefully curved neck that mirrors the width of the base and the opening, creating an elegant symmetry that enhances its visual harmony.

The jar features a carved design that wraps around the midpoint of the body and rises up to meet the neck and repeats twice. The carved elements, which include winged and stepped designs, are rendered in two tones: cream and light red buff. The crispness of the carving suggests the hand of Reyecita's husband, Juan Hilario Trujillo, with whom she frequently collaborated.

Both the neck and base are finished in a rich, stone-polished deep red slip, offering a striking contrast to the matte, textured midsection. The artist's name is lightly inscribed on the bottom of the jar, affirming its authenticity.

Reyecita A. Trujillo, active from approximately 1925 to 1945, was one of the seven original potters who led the San Juan pottery revival in the 1930s. Her work, often created in partnership with her husband, is celebrated for its refined forms and thoughtful integration of carved designs with traditional surfaces. This jar stands as a fine example of her legacy, embodying both cultural continuity and artistic achievement.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This Reyecita Trujillo Polychrome Ohkay Owingeh Jar is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery.

Recommended Reading: Pueblo Pottery of the New Mexico Indians: Ever Constant, Ever Changing by Betty Toulouse

TAGS: San Juan Pueblo (Ohkay Owingeh), San Ildefonso Pueblo, Southwest Indian Pottery, Reycita Trujillo Garcia, Reyecita Trujillo