Popovi Da Black-on-black Small Dish with Feather Design

This traditional San Ildefonso polished black dish with an eagle feather design was made in 1965 by Popovi Da of San Ildefonso Pueblo. The Black-on-black style seen here, which is the result of a difficult firing method, was created by Popovi himself. During this period, he also revived polychrome wares and created the metallic "gunmetal" style. Popovi was an innovative artist, and these groundbreaking works have aged well in the years since his passing.

This piece is one of the finest examples of Popovi's Black-on-black style that we've had the pleasure of handling. Its shallow dish shape, with a rim that curves upward, is immensely appealing. It nods to traditional pottery wares with the eagle feather pattern first presented by the Mimbres Indians, then by Popovi's dad, Julian Martinez.

This is an exceptionally beautiful piece of pueblo pottery, and a rare one, too. Our history files indicate that we have never had a small plate like this one from Popovi.

The jar is signed Popovi and dated 1065, which refers to October of 1965.

Popovi Da (1922-1971) Red Fox was an influential San Ildefonso Pueblo potter and painter. Da was the son of Maria Martinez and Julian Martinez, and the father of Tony Da. A mural by Popovi Da can be seen at the former Maisel's Indian Trading Post, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Popovi Da's artworks are in the permanent collections of many public institutions across the United States: Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana; Thomas Gilcrease Institute of American History and Art, Tulsa, Oklahoma; Indian Arts and Crafts Board, Denman Collection, United States Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C.; National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, Arizona; Museum of the Rockies, Browning, Montana; and Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, New Mexico.

Condition: very good condition.

Provenance: this Popovi Da Black-on-black Small Dish with Feather Design is from the estate of a Santa Fe resident

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

TAGS: Maria Martinez, Julian Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo, ceramics, pottery, Popovi Da