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. 1940 to 1960CE. Signed "Maria" and "Popovi" on base. A beautiful pottery plate in one of the mopst popular of all of her designs. Shallow vessel decorated around entire top surface in repeating feather pattern. Size: 6.875" W (17.5 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 economy and quality of life in San Ildefonso 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 Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA collection
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#182812
Condition
Intact and quite excellent.