San Ildefonso Pueblo Gunmetal Fired Jar signed Maria — Popovi

This San Ildefonso Pueblo black pottery jar by Maria Martinez and her son Popovi Da has the most beautiful solid black sheen as one could accomplish. This jar is spectacular in shape, polish, and gunmetal firing. It continues a legacy begun over a hundred years ago by the Martinez family. Maria and Popovi Da would be proud of this jar and Maria would be astonished at the praise bestowed on her for doing only what pueblo women have done for centuries-making pottery. She, and her family, elevated the process above the normal to a very high level.

The jar is devoid of painted designs which is fortunate because it allows one to marvel at the silvery finish achieved by Popovi Da during the firing process. The gunmetal finish is achieved by reaching a specific firing temperature. Popovi Da not only was competent at doing this, but he was also the first to achieve a gunmetal finish.

This Black-on-black jar bears the dual signature Maria - Popovi and the date 168 (Jan 1968). This is typical when mother and son collaborated. Around the mid-1950s, Popovi Da began working with his mother, helping her with designing and firing her pottery. They began to co-sign their pottery and Popovi started putting a date on each piece, probably around 1959.

It is likely that Maria's sister Clara stone polished the jar for Maria. Clara was deaf and Maria supported her by having her polish all of Maria's pottery. I do not know what year or period Clara started helping Maria, but surely, she was doing so at the time this jar was made. Popovi surely assisted Maria in the firing process.

Condition: very good condition.

Provenance: this San Ildefonso Pueblo Gunmetal Fired Jar signed Maria - Popovi is from the estate of a Santa Fe resident

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

TAGS: Pueblo Pottery, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Popovi Da, Santana and Adam Martinez, Julian Martinez, Maria Martinez