Native American, Maria Montoy Poveka Martinez (1887-1980) and conjunction with her son Popovi Da Martinez (1923-1971), New Mexico, northwest of Santa Fe, San Ildefonso Pueblo, ca. 1962 CE. Signed "Maria" and "Popovi 962" on base. A beautiful pottery bowl presenting a concave base, a broad lower body with a carinated midsection, a rounded shoulder, and a thick rim surrounding the deep basin. Fired to a dark black hue, the exterior of the vessel exhibits an intense luster across the lower body as well as matte areas on the shoulder. The upper body is adorned with a mythological serpentine deity known as Avanyu (also Awanyu) - a revered yet feared creature who brought forth lightning, thunder, and storms - with a zigzagging body and an arrow-shaped tongue representative of a lightning bolt. Size: 7.7" W x 5.75" H (19.6 cm x 14.6 cm)

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.

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.

Provenance: private Denver collection, USA, by inheritance before 2000 from the Harry Tammen Family collection, former owner of the Denver Post

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#172685

A few minor scuffs and light abrasions along foot, otherwise intact and excellent. Great luster across vessel. Signed "Maria" and "Popovi 962" on base.