This bowl by Maria Martinez is an exceptional early piece of her pottery.  It was made and polished by Maria and then painted by her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  The design is a very traditional pattern which is painted horizontally rather than vertically.  The two triangles are the “prayer feathers”.  The design below represents where the prayer feathers are placed outside at the pueblo.  The bowl is fired to a near gunmetal appearance with areas that are both metallic silver and gold in coloration.  The bottom is fully polished, making it an earlier piece.  It is signed, “Marie + Julian” on the bottom.  The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

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