This is a stunning gunmetal-fired bowl by Maria Martinez.  It is from the 1950’s when Maria created a series of pieces that 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 bowl is a classic round shape and it is fully polished. However, it is the silvery-gunmetal firing that is so striking.  On this piece, it is the heat of the outdoor fire that created the silvery coloration.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay,  “Maria Poveka”.  This is a combination of her Anglo and Tewa names.  Her name, “Poveka” means “Water Lilly”.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Maria Martinez Signatures