Martinez, Maria – Polychrome Bowl with Cloud Designs, “Marie” (1920’s)

5.5"w x 3"h

$ 7,000.00

This is an exceptional smaller bowl by Maria Martinez and her husband, Julian.  The bowl is coil built and thin walled.  It is painted with a cloud and bird wing design.  Typical of their work in the early 1920s, the bowl is painted with very tight lines.  The early signed polychrome work by Maria is a rarity.   While she began her career making polychrome pottery, the “new” black-on-black pottery in 1920-1 changed everyone’s interest as it became more popular.  Potters quickly transitioned to the new blackware and the polychrome pieces were then made with less frequency.  Interestingly, the provenance on this bowl is that the owner’s grandmother purchased it from her in the 1920s.  Definitely a fascinating and important piece of San Ildefonso and Maria pottery history!  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Marie”.

Maria Martinez Signatures