This is an exceptional gunmetal jar by Maria Martinez from around 1964-5.  The jar was made and polished by Maria.  It is one of her classic shapes with the very round shoulder and a short neck. The jar was fired by her son Popovi Da and it has a spectacular gunmetal surface.  Popovi was known for his firing techniques and his gunmetal pieces remain some of the best.  The neck of the jar has been “two-toned” with a sienna neck to contrast with the gunmetal surface.  There is his classic “halo” band, which is the dark black band separating the gunmetal from the sienna surface.  The piece is most likely from around 1964-5 or possible a few years later.  It was only in 1964 that Popovi Da created the black-and-sienna coloration.  As well, by 1965 Maria was signing “Maria Poveka” less frequently on her pottery and most pieces were signed “Maria Popovi”.  This jar is signed, “Maria Poveka” in the clay on the bottom.  This is a combination of her Anglo and Tewa names.  Her name, “Poveka” means “Water Lilly”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is certainly a unique style of Maria’s pottery and an important addition to any collection.

During the 1950’s Maria Martinez made and polished pottery and signed using her Tewa name, “Maria Poveka”.  Poveka means “Water Lilly”.  This is one of her classic open bowls, which is polished on both the inside and outside. Interestingly, today, few potters will attempt to fully polish the inside and outside of a piece, as it adds the possibility of it cracking.  The bowl is very highly polished and it was fired a deep black.  It is certainly the classic style of work by Maria.  The bowl is signed in the clay on the bottom, “Maria Pove’ka”.   It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Maria Martinez Signatures

During the 1950’s Maria Martinez made and polished pottery and signed using her Tewa name, “Maria Poveka”.  Poveka means “Water Lilly”.  This is one of her classic open bowls, which are polished on both the inside and outside. Interestingly, today, few potters will attempt to fully polish the inside and outside of a piece, as it adds the possibility of it cracking.  The bowl is very highly polished and there are small areas of gunmetal and coloration in the black from the heat of the firing.  The bowl is signed in the clay on the bottom, “Maria Pove’ka”.   It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Maria Martinez Signatures

In the 1950’s Maria Martinez created a series of pieces which were simply stone polished with no design.  As she primarily made the pottery and polished it this was fitting with the other pieces of her career.  This small plate is fully polished on the front and matte on the back.  It is signed in the clay, “Maria Poveka”.  This is a combination of her Anglo and Tewa names.  Her name, “Poveka” means “Water Lilly”.  The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

During the 1950’s Maria Martinez made and polished pottery and signed using her Tewa name, “Maria Poveka”.  Poveka means “Water Lilly”.  This bowl is beautifully formed and polished.  It has a very deep black fired appearance and a very glossy shine.  It is signed in the clay on the bottom, “Maria Poveka”.   It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

To learn more about Maria’s signatures, click here.