Martinez, Maria – Gunmetal Plate with 35 Feathers “Maria + Popov 368i” (1968)
$ 2,600.00
WOW! This is a gunmetal fired plate by Maria Martinez and her son, Popovi Da. Maria made and polished the plate while it was painted by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971). The plate is highly polished and has a feather pattern as the main design. The surface of the plate is stunning and beautifully reflects the light. The 35 feathers are very tightly painted. The plate was fired to a silvery, gunmetal coloration. They really don’t come much better than this! It is nearly perfect in coloration and condition. Amazing! The plate is signed on the back “Maria Popovi 368“. The signature indicates the firing date of March, 1968. The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
In stock
This is a classic small plate by Maria Martinez and her son, Popovi Da. Maria made and polished the plate while it was painted by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971). The plate is highly polished and has a feather pattern as the main design. The surface of the plate is stunning and beautifully reflects the light. The 35 feathers are very tightly painted, which is typical of the early pieces from the late 1950s. It is signed on the back in the clay, “Maria Popovi“. The signature indicates that it was made around 1956-9. The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
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Martinez, Maria (1887-1980)
Maria Martinez (1887-1980)
Maria Martinez is undoubtedly one of the best-known and most influential Native potters of the 1900s. She became famous for her creative pottery and traveling to museums, World Fairs, and other events throughout her lifetime.
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, it 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 made the pottery, and Santana painted the designs. In the 1950s, Maria made plain pieces and signed them with her Tewa name, "Pove-ka," which means "Water Lilly."
In 1956, Maria started working with her son, Popovi Da. Maria made the pottery, and Popovi painted the designs. These are often considered among the best of her career after her early work with Julian. Popovi Da worked to revive polychrome pottery, created the sienna (double-fired) coloration, and made redware vessels. Maria also made a few pieces with her grandson, Tony Da, whom she taught to make pottery. Tony was one of the first male potters at San Ildefonso and had an exceptional career in ceramics and paintings. He was the subject of a book, "The Art and Life of Tony Da" by Charles S. King and Richard Spivey.
Maria Martinez was the subject of several books during her career. Alice Marriot wrote the book "Maria: The Potter of San Ildefonso" in 1948. Richard Spivey also wrote a book on her entitled "Maria." Both were essential additions to the collector's knowledge of this vital potter. Maria was also the subject of numerous museum exhibitions. Her pottery can be found around the world in various permanent museum collections.
Today, Maria's descendants include Barbara Gonzales, Cavan Gonzales, and Marvin Martinez, who all continue to make traditional San Ildefonso pottery. In addition, Jarrod Da is known for his modernist paintings.
Martinez, Maria (1887-1980),Signature "Maria + Popovi", Circa 1956-1971
