San Ildefonso Pueblo Black-on-black Jar signed Marie and Julian [SOLD]

Maria Poveka Martinez (1887-1980) and Julian Martinez (1885-1943) worked together producing pottery from the early 1900s—she making the beautiful Tewa shape vessels and he painting beautiful designs in traditional Polychrome style.  Because Maria was considered the best potter at San Ildefosno Pueblo, she was selected to experiment on reproducing the prehistoric wares being excavated at nearby ruins.  She and Julian worked diligently for several years to recreate the earlier pottery style and Julian painted designs in the traditional Polychrome style.  It was not until around 1912, that they became interested in experimenting with the blackware of previous periods.  It was another 10 years before they achieved satisfactory results.

Maria made the blackware vessels and Julian applied the designs in a matte finish.  Her exquisite vessels with beautiful polished surfaces were perfect canvases for the artistic talent of Julian.  Maria started co-signing Julian's signature around 1925 so this jar was made between 1925 and 1943, most likely in the mid-1930s.

The design on the shoulder of this jar is one of Julian’s creations—possibly representing clouds or flora or perhaps not representing anything but his creative thoughts.  Julian was a very talented artist and constantly created designs not seen before. Julian is always credited with painting designs on pottery but he did much more.  He searched for and dug bucketsful of clay for Maria, assisted in working the clay with water, and setting up the temporary outdoor kiln and assisting in firing the pottery.  His early death was a great loss to Maria in many ways.

Condition: good condition with minor abrasions to the rim

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman from Virginia

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