Native American, New Mexico, San Ildefonso Pueblo, ca. 1920's. It seems that all of the major Native American nations or Pueblos have their own master pottery matriarch. For the Hopi it was Nampeyo, for the Acoma it was Lucy Lewis. Among the true luminaries of Native American pottery, I think most of us would agree that Maria Martinez rises above the rest. This early and extremely fine bowl is an example of the type made famous by her and her husband Julian in the 1920's. It is decorated with an abstract repeating stepped geometric design. This bowl is signed like many of her earliest works "Marie." Size: 8.5" W x 4.5" H (21.6 cm x 11.4 cm)

Maria learned to make pottery from her aunt Nicolasa Montoya. Around 1919-1920, Maria and her husband, Julian Martinez, created the ?black-on-black? style of pottery. This unique process allowed matte designs to be painted on a stone-polished surface, a stone-polished piece fired black. At the time, this unique and distinctive style of pottery quickly became a success, and by 1922 was made by nearly every potter at San Ildefonso Pueblo. It helped to change the economy of Pueblo as pottery became a successful career.Maria worked with Julian until he died in 1943. She then worked with her daughter-in-law Santana, who married her eldest son, Adam. Again, she would make the pottery, and Santana would paint the designs. In the 1950s, Maria made plain pieces and signed with her Tewa name, ?Pove-ka,? which means ?Water Lilly.?

Provenance: private British Columbia, Canada collection, gifted from aunt in Tucson, Arizona, USA, acquired prior to 1994

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#182404

Intact and excellent. Minor scuffs as to be expected. Strong original signature on base.