WoW!  This is an exceptional large jar by Maria Martinez. It is from 1920-25 and it was made and polished by Maria Martinez and painted by her husband, Julian.  These early pieces are signed, “Marie”, although Julian was painting the designs.  It was not until around 1925 that they began to sign both names to the pottery.  The jar has a sharp shoulder and a sloping neck.  What you can’t tell is how perfectly it is coil-built with thin walls and a smooth, burnished surface.  The jar has a very unusual design and the first time I’ve seen this combination together on her work. I spoke with Russell Sanchez about the designs.  The triangular designs are dragonflies.  The checkerboard designs with the dot in the center are meant to represent sunflowers.  It is a complex and yet striking design that creates a sense of both movement and time.  The designs extend from the rim to the shoulder.  The piece was traditionally fired to a silvery appearance.  The highly polished surface definitely shows off the complexity of the design.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Marie”.   Definitely a classic in shape and a rarity in design.

Maria Martinez Signatures