Avanyu Design Black-on-black Jar signed Santana/Adam [SOLD]

Maria and Julian had four sons: Adam (born 1903), John (born 1915), Popovi Da (born 1922), and Philip (born 1925).  Adam’s wife was Santana and it was she who worked with Maria following the death of Julian in 1943.  Santana and Adam also collaborated on pottery.  Santana made the pottery and Adam painted the designs.  Adam also did the firing of their pottery.  Adam surely was the one who gathered the clay for Santana and she most likely did all the clay processing.

Originally, Santana did not put Adam’s name on their pottery but, then, someone said they saw a Santo Domingo jar with the name Santana on it, so Santana decided to add Adam’s name to prevent confusion between their work and the work at Santo Domingo Pueblo.

This San Ildefonso Pueblo jar is one of the most beautiful of those I have seen by Santana and Adam.  The shape is exquisite and the burnish is outrageous.  It is an absolutely beautiful creation from a very talented couple.

Condition: original condition

Recommended Reading: The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez by Richard Spivey

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from Colorado who purchased pueblo pottery while living in Albuquerque in the 1970s and 1980s.