Martinez, Maria – Jar with Gourd Indentions (1920’s)

5.5"w x 5"h

$ 1,600.00

This is an unusual jar by Maria Martinez.  The jar is from the 1920’s, and it was made by Maria Martinez and her husband, Julian.  The jar has a round body and a short neck.  What is unusual are the gourd indentations on the shoulder. They are pushed into the clay before the piece is polished.  There are nine indentations around the shoulder of the piece. The neck of the jar is painted with a mountain design.  Maria is known for her traditional shapes and highly polished surfaces.  The last image in this post shows her working on a jar with indented sides!  It is not a style that she made after the 1920’s, and this is one of the few I have seen in person.  However, each indentation is fully polished, as is the entire jar. The neck was painted by Julian.  The jar was traditionally fired to a deep black coloration.  It is a creative piece of her pottery and an extraordinary part of the history of her pottery.  The jar is signed, “Marie” in the bottom.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few small surface issues that are not unexpected with the age of the jar.

In stock