Martinez, Maria – Red Water Jar with Avanyu “Maria + Popovi 669” (1969)
This is large water jar by Maria Martinez and her son, Popovi Da. Maria made and polished the jar while it was painted by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971). The jar has a round shoulder and an elongated neck. The piece is painted with an avanyu and fired red. It is very unusual to see a piece by Maria in this size in red. At this time, Maria was 82 years old and was making smaller pieces. She made very few red pieces with Popovi, and even fewer this size. The jar is signed on the bottom, “Maria Popovi 669 “. The signature indicates it was made in June 1969. It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
This is spectacular large water jar by Maria Martinez and her son, Popovi Da. Maria made and polished the jar while it was painted by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971). The jar has a round shoulder and an elongated neck. The piece is painted with an avanyu and fired red. It is very unusual to see a piece by Maria in this size, especially in red. At this time, Maria was 76 years old and was making smaller pieces. She made very few red pieces with Popovi, and even fewer this size. The jar is signed on the bottom, “Maria Popovi” and on the side “Maria Popovi 1063 “. The signature indicates it was made in October, 1963. It is in excellent good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
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Martinez, Maria (1887-1980)
Maria Martinez (1887-1980)
Maria Martinez is undoubtedly one of the best-known and most influential Native potters of the 1900s. She became famous for her creative pottery and traveling to museums, World Fairs, and other events throughout her lifetime.
Maria learned to make pottery from her aunt Nicolasa Montoya. Around 1919-1920, Maria and her husband, Julian Martinez, created the "black-on-black" style of pottery. This unique process allowed matte designs to be painted on a stone-polished surface, a stone-polished piece fired black. At the time, this unique and distinctive style of pottery quickly became a success, and by 1922, it was made by nearly every potter at San Ildefonso Pueblo. It helped to change the economy of Pueblo as pottery became a successful career.
Maria worked with Julian until he died in 1943. She then worked with her daughter-in-law, Santana, who married her eldest son, Adam. Again, she made the pottery, and Santana painted the designs. In the 1950s, Maria made plain pieces and signed them with her Tewa name, "Pove-ka," which means "Water Lilly."
In 1956, Maria started working with her son, Popovi Da. Maria made the pottery, and Popovi painted the designs. These are often considered among the best of her career after her early work with Julian. Popovi Da worked to revive polychrome pottery, created the sienna (double-fired) coloration, and made redware vessels. Maria also made a few pieces with her grandson, Tony Da, whom she taught to make pottery. Tony was one of the first male potters at San Ildefonso and had an exceptional career in ceramics and paintings. He was the subject of a book, "The Art and Life of Tony Da" by Charles S. King and Richard Spivey.
Maria Martinez was the subject of several books during her career. Alice Marriot wrote the book "Maria: The Potter of San Ildefonso" in 1948. Richard Spivey also wrote a book on her entitled "Maria." Both were essential additions to the collector's knowledge of this vital potter. Maria was also the subject of numerous museum exhibitions. Her pottery can be found around the world in various permanent museum collections.
Today, Maria's descendants include Barbara Gonzales, Cavan Gonzales, and Marvin Martinez, who all continue to make traditional San Ildefonso pottery. In addition, Jarrod Da is known for his modernist paintings.
Martinez, Maria (1887-1980),Signature "Maria + Popovi", Circa 1956-1971
