Maximiliana Montoya Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo Potter

Maximiliana Montoya Martinez, or Anna, as she was known, was the eldest sister of Maria Martinez. She was an early maker of Black-on-black as well as Polychrome pottery. Her shapes were refined and her burnishing was excellent. In addition to painting designs on her pottery, she also assisted Maria by painting some of her pottery. Maria stated that Anna would assist her when the men were out in the fields.  Anna’s husband, Crescencio Martinez (1879-1918), painted some of Anna’s pottery and it is known that he, too, painted designs on some of Maria’s pottery before Julian started assisting Maria.

TAGS: San Ildefonso Pueblo - Po-woh-ge-oweenge, Maria Martinez, Crescencio Martinez, Julian Martinez, Southwest Indian Pottery