Black-on-black Feather Design Dish signed Maria + Santana [SOLD]

Maria and Julian had four sons, Adam being the oldest. Adam’s wife was Santana and it was she who worked with Maria following the death of Julian in 1943.  There are two periods of pottery that were collaborated by Maria and Santana.  The earlier ones were signed Marie & Santana and that period lasted from Julian’s death in 1943 until 1956, at which time Popovi Da replaced Santana and helped his mom.  Maria did not immediately stop working with Santana when she began working with Popovi but did continue on and off for a few more years.  Those pieces are signed Maria & Santana.

This San Ildefonso Pueblo plate is signed Maria & Santana, the later signature, indicating that it was made after 1956.  Maria made the plate and Santana decorated it with eagle feathers, one of the favorite designs of Julian which was continued both by her other son, Popovi Da, and Santana.

Condition: very good condition with some minor scratches which are to be expected in pottery of this age.

Recommended Reading:  The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez by Richard Spivey.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery

Provenance: from the collection of a family from California