Rose Gonzales San Ildefonso Pueblo Avanyu Jar

This San Ildefonso Pueblo Avanyu Jar was made by Rose Gonzales. Rose was a gifted and versatile potter who primarily worked in the black-on-black and carved blackware styles. She also produced redware. This jar is completed in the carved blackware style, which is mostly associated with Santa Clara Pueblo but—as evidenced here—practiced by potters from other pueblos as well.

With this piece, Rose offered an Avanyu carved in relief around the upper exterior section of a wide jar. The Avanyu is robust and full of character, with a wide eye and a massive arrow-shaped tongue. The polished slip circles the rim, highlights the relief-carved figure, and then appears again at the shoulder and covers the underbody. Rose did a fine job with the stone polishing, creating a gentle and beautiful sheen with a softly reflective look.

The bottom of the jar is signed Rose.

Rose Cata Gonzales (1900-1989) was originally from Ohkay Owingeh (formerly San Juan) Pueblo. She married Robert Gonzales of San Ildefonso Pueblo and moved there with him. Rose was the sister of Pomasena Sanchez. She was the mother of Jose H. Rainbird Gonzales, Tse-Pé Gonzales, and Marie Gonzales Yazzie. Rose learned pottery making from Ramona Sanchez Gonzales, her mother-in-law. Rose's parents died from the swine flu epidemic of 1918, leaving Rose and her sister Pomasena orphaned. The girls survived by staying at the Santa Fe Indian School. Mary Cata, a relative, adopted and cared for the girls.

In the 1920s, Rose learned first how to make polished blackware. She then learned the new technique of black-on-black pottery, using a matte black pigment for designs. Rose also learned the older technique of black-on-red pottery, most often associated with Tonita Martinez Roybal (1892-1945) Antonita, and her mother. Rose was credited as the innovator of deep carved pottery around 1930 at San Ildefonso. She sometimes collaborated with her son, Tse-Pé, often in duotones. She was active as a potter from 1929 until her death in 1989, and she received many notable awards and accolades for her work.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Rose Gonzales San Ildefonso Pueblo Avanyu Jar is from a private collection

Recommended Reading and Reference: Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

TAGS: Ohkay Owingeh - San Juan Pueblo, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Marie Gonzales Yazzie, pottery, Ramona Sanchez Gonzales, Tonita Roybal, Tse-Pé, Rose Cata Gonzales