Polished Black Jar signed Santana Martinez [SOLD]

Santana Martinez is famous as the wife of Adam and assistant to Maria Martinez, but Santana was a talented artist who came from a famous and talented family.  She was Santana Roybal, daughter of Alfonsita Martinez, a potter, and Juan Estebán Roybal.  She was a sister of Awa Tsireh and Juan Cruz Roybal and niece of Crescencio Martinez, all talented and famous artists.

Following the death of Julian, Santana helped Maria as a partner until 1956, at which time Maria began working with Popovi Da.  Santana then began making pottery on her own, and later, working with Adam.  When Santana worked with Maria, she decorated the pottery for Maria.  When she worked with Adam, she continued decorating her own pottery and Adam helped in clay preparation and firing.  At first, Santana signed only her first name until she heard that there was a potter at Santo Domingo who signed “Santana,” so she began adding Adam’s name to their pottery.

This jar is one of the earliest examples of Santana’s work after going on her own in 1956.  It was awarded a ribbon from the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial in 1956, and entries in the Ceremonial must have been made the year of entry.  This jar is signed Santana Martinez, a rare example of her signature.

“Santana was considered one of San Ildefonso’s leading potters. Her work was characterized by well-formed shapes, careful finishes, and skillful decoration.  She was an excellent polisher as well.” Spivey 2003

This jar is an excellent example of a unique vessel shape made by Santana.  It also shows very well how expert she was at polishing the vessel and how talented Adam was in firing it to a beautiful black finish.  This is an extraordinary jar by Santana with the assistance of Adam.

Condition: excellent condition with minor abrasion on underside and remnant of paper label.

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Pennsylvania

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