Black-on-black Tall-neck Jar signed Maria/Popovi 762 [SOLD]

Richard Spivey, in his well-researched books on Maria and her family, stated that Popovi Da (1922-1971) worked with his mother from 1956 to 1970 and that this was the highest level of creativity of Maria’s genius.  It was only when Popovi began decorating Maria’s pottery that her work departed from the standard black-on-black wares to something truly creative. Popovi was an artist and craved innovation.  Of course, he was a businessman too.  He opened an art gallery on the pueblo in 1948 and became well aware of what tourists and collectors were interested in purchasing and it was up to him to supply what they wanted.

This tall-neck jar made by Maria and painted by Popovi in 1962 is of the style most visitors to San Ildefonso Pueblo were looking for and is what Maria was familiar with making.  Popovi was interested in assisting Maria and not competing with her.  It was his intent to market his work after his mom was gone, but we know that he pre-deceased her so his plans were never materialized.  Maria retired from pottery production when Popovi passed away in 1971.  She passed away in 1980.

Popovi began experimenting with a double-firing technique in 1964, two years after this black-on-black jar was made.  So this one is from his earlier period of traditional blackware pottery shared with his mom.

Condition: structurally in excellent condition with just a couple areas of scratches that are not detrimental to the beauty of this vessel.

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Pennsylvania

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