This is a classic box by Maria Martinez and her husband, Julian.  Maria would make the pottery and Julian would paint the design.  This box is rectangular in form  The piece is fully polished and painted on the outside.  The top of the box has painted rain and lightning designs.  The sides are tightly painted with small clouds and rain on the long sides and mountains and rain on the short sides.  It is a design that uses open space to accentuate the imagery. Interestingly, on the inside of the box there is a half circle incised into the clay before firing. There is also a half circle on the bottom of the lid. I’ve heard lots of stories about why there are these symbols, but it is most likely that they served two purposes.  One is to match up lids and boxes after firing.  The other is to show a direction where the lid fits correctly.  It also helps us today to make sure that the correct lid is with the correct box!  This box is signed “Marie”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a classic of her early pottery!

Why Boxes?

There has long been a fascination with boxes, that is to say, square or rectangular clay vessels with flat, clay lids.  At the Pueblos of New Mexico, there is a historic precedent for these square-shaped pieces that were typically used for holding corn meal for Pueblo dances.  These boxes, however, typically did not have lids, and more likely, carved or raised ends.

In the 1920s there was a revival of boxes at San Ildefonso at the same time as the “new” black-on-black style of pottery.  The boxes had flat sides, but later, some were cylindrical.  They were painted on each side and they had a flat lid with a handle. The style of the handle, and its direction, were often indicative of the potter.  While some boxes may still have been made for cornmeal, most were made to hold cigarettes, small cigars, or curious, for the newly arriving tourist trade.  The potters of San Ildefonso in the 1920s were each adept at making these pieces.

Boxes are difficult to make and crack in drying and firing.  The same with the flat lids.  Not surprisingly, over the past 100 years, the boxes have not fared well as they are often cracked or chipped.  The lids are often missing or damaged.  They are not only one of the most difficult and sought-after forms, but also one that is the least resilient to time.