This is an early plate by Maria Martinez.  It is from around 1924-5, as that is about the time they began to make plates at San Ildefonso.  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.   This plate has a very early style of the eagle feather pattern. Note at the top of the feather, the rectangular black matte area, which is in the center of the feather.  As time progress, that moved to one side so that it was easier to paint, as it took more time to paint it in the center of the feather.  However, the result is always visually striking with the older style.  The plate is highly polished and has just a bit of gunmetal coloration from the firing. The gunmetal color achieved on these early pieces was from the heat of the firing.  The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are some slight surface scratches.  It is signed on the back in the clay, “Marie”.

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