Black-on-black Pottery Plate signed Marie [SOLD]

Maria Martinez used a variety of signatures during her long career.  The first signature on black pottery was Marie—a signature used when she made the item and Julian painted the design.  His name was omitted in the early years because pottery was “woman’s work.”  It was only after they were convinced that his painting did not constitute doing “woman’s work” but was the work of an artist.  This signature was used between 1923 and 1925. Spivey 2003

This pottery plate is signed into the clay with the name Marie.  It is accepted then that Maria made the plate and Julian painted it between 1923 and 1925.  The plate is polished on front and back to a high luster.  A simple ring of clouds outlines the edge of the plate.  This plate would constitute some of the earliest blackware of this talented couple from San Ildefonso Pueblo.

Condition: excellent structural condition with some minor scratches to the surface.  The signature is very legible.

Provenance: this Black-on-black Pottery Plate signed Marie is from the collection of a family from Pennsylvania

Reference and Recommended Reading: The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez by Richard L. Spivey, 2003