North American Auction Company
Timed Auction

Last Chance November Passed Lots & Added Auction: NOV 18TH

Sun, Nov 13, 2022 02:00AM EST - Fri, Nov 18, 2022 03:00PM EST
Lot 24

Original Signed Reyecita San Ildefonso Red Ware

Estimate: $2,000 - $4,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Offered in this lot is an Original Signed Reyecita San Ildefonso Red Ware Turquoise Ceramic Miniature Pot, circa Mid-Century Modern, signed on bottom Reyecita San Idefonso. Reyecita Trujillo (1900 - 1944) also known as, Reycita Trujillo, was one of the eight women who restarted the making of San Juan pottery at San Juan Pueblo (Ohkay Owingeh) in the 1930s. While Reyecita would coil, shape, polish and carve her pots, she often had her husband, Juan Hilario Trujillo, do the incising / sgraffito that is characteristic of San Juan pottery. San Juan Pueblo has a rich pottery tradition, originally creating lovely vessels for functional use. Early historic San Juan pottery includes massive water jars and dough bowls, characterized by beautiful curves and elegant shapes. These pottery making traditions had largely ended by the 1900s, however. In the 1930s, Regina Cata (a Spaniard who married into the tribe) organized a group to revitalize pottery production. The women studied ancient pottery from the area, choosing shards from the 1450s-1500s as a basis for their pottery revival. By 1940, almost 60 potters were making San Juan pottery. Note that “San Juan” is the name given to the Pueblo by the Spaniards. Today, the people prefer their traditional name of Ohkay Owingeh, which means “Place of the Strong People.” As one of the "Original Eight", Reyecita's pottery pieces are extremely rare, her years as an artist during the San Juan Revival were about a decade long. This miniature San Ildefonso ceramic pot is in amazingly good condition, the colour tone is strong and consistent, with the Sgraffito stunning. The turquoise "eye" appears to be a Sleeping Beauty turquoise. No obvious marring noted. Measures 2.25" x 2.5"