San Ildefonso Pueblo Buff-on-red Jar by Maria & Julian [SOLD]

This is a beautiful stone-polished Buff-on-red jar signed Marie & Julian.  It probably dates to circa 1930s.  Polished red pottery by this famous couple is extremely rare.  San Ildefonso potters are known for their black matte on polished black pottery. Developed by Maria and Julian around 1920, the Black-on-black style became the signature ware of San Ildefonso. It is what the tourists expected to see, and what they bought. Another reason for fewer redware pieces is that redware is more difficult to produce. Black pottery and red pottery are made of the same clay—the difference in color is the result of a different firing process. It is more difficult to produce flawless redware as the temperature needs to stay higher for a longer period of time, increasing the risk of pottery breaking.

When Richard M. Howard saw this jar in the home of the owner, he stated that he was only aware of about three such red jars by Maria and Julian.  Personally, I think I have seen more than three, but his comment is an indication of the general rarity. 

Condition:  The jar is in excellent condition

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