Attributed to Maria Montoy Poveka Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1887-1980) and Julian Marinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1887-1943). Blackware jar, n.d. A fine blackware jar, attributed to the famous Maria Martinez and her husband Julian. This jar represents one of her classic shapes, fired to a dark black hue with a buff decoration of abstract agave plants and steppe motifs. The San Ildefonso Pueblo is synonymous with the pottery of Maria Martinez. Her signature style became so popular that its sales actually helped stabilize the isolated, drought ridden, over-logged, and influenza-ridden pueblo and many of the surrounding pueblos as well. Size: 4.3" Diameter x 5" H (10.9 cm x 12.7 cm)

As a child, Maria learned to make pottery from her aunt. In 1904 she married Julian Martinez, and the pair made a fabulous team. Maria created the pottery, and Julian painted the designs. They are best known for the creation of a new style of pottery in 1918-19, the matte painted and highly polished "black-on-black" style. They also perfected a red ware style in 1924. Maria signed her work "Marie" because she thought the name Marie had a greater appeal to non-Indigenous purchasers. As pottery was considered a woman's job in the Pueblo, Maria left out Julian's signature from pieces he had decorated to respect the Pueblo culture until 1925. After Julian passed away, Maria continued to make pottery which was painted by her daughter-in-law Santana (1909-2002) and later by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971). Maria received numerous awards for her pottery and was the featured subject of several books including "Maria the Potter of San Ildefonso" by Alice Marriot and "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" by Richard Spivey.

Please note this item may fall under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and may not be eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.

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

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#182473

Some minor nicks and abrasions to surface in areas, but otherwise intact and excellent with lustrous glaze and good preservation of decoration.