San Ildefonso Pottery

Please contact us at 480.481.0187 or kgs@kinggalleries.com for information and availability of the pottery featured below. 

Last Update: Monday, July 26, 2010

Click on any of the images to see them larger!

San Ildefonso Pueblo  __________

Rosalie Simbola Aguilar (1898 - 1946) - San Ildefonso 

Rosalie was one of the early San Ildefonso potters to begin carving designs into the clay, along with Rose Gonzales.  She was originally from Picuris pueblo but married Joe Aguilar, who was well known for his painted designs on the pottery.   She learned to make pottery from her mother-in-law, Susana Aguilar and became famous for thin walled and highly polished vessels.  This bowl is from the 1930's and it has a highly polished surface and a wonderfully intricate design.  There are dragonfly, wind and tightly painted rain patterns on the bowl.  It is amazing how such a complicated design fits into such a narrow space.  The bowl is in excellent condition for its age with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Rosalie". 

6"w x 4"h

$550.00 - SOLD

Susana Martinez Aguilar (1876 - 1947) - San Ildefonso   

Susana Aguilar began making pottery in the 1890's. She was renown not only for her black-ware but also the red painted pottery outlined with whit clay slips.  These two pieces are wonderful examples of her pottery!  The bowl on the left is thin walled and highly polished.  It is painted with a rain and cloud pattern encircling the piece above the shoulder.  The bowl on the right has a very intricately painted flower pattern as the design.  Again it is thin walled and highly polished. Both pieces of early black-on-black style pottery reflect the higher temperatures of the firing at the time, creating  a more "gunmetal" type of appearance to the surface.  Both bowls are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  They are definitely a unique part of the early history of black-on-black pottery at San Ildefonso Pueblo!

Left:            Bowl with Rain Pattern            6.5"w x 3.5"h            $300.00 - SOLD

Right:         Bowl with Flower Pattern        7.75"w x 4.5"h           $500.00 - SOLD

      Blue Corn (1921 - 1999) - San Ildefonso   NEW

Blue Corn continues to be renown for her innovative pottery legacy at San Ildefonso.  While she is often best known for her polychrome work she also created stunning blackware vessels.  These three pieces are exceptional variations on her artistic style. On the left is one of her classic polychrome jars with a feather pattern.  It is a polished cream colored slip and then painted with a black mineral clay and there is a green clay at the top of feathers.  Blue Corn was one of the first San Ildefonso potters to polish the cream colored slip on her pottery.  The long neck jar in the center is highly polished and painted with a feather pattern.  The feathers are painted with a very fine line, which gives them a very graceful appearance on the jar.  The jar on the right has a water serpent (avanyu) as the central design, carved into the clay.  Blue Corn did not make a lot of carved pottery, with much of it from the 1950's and 1960's. Her carved pottery had negative edges similar to that of her contemporary, Rose Gonzales.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  They are both a testament to her skill as an potter and a reflection of her being posthumously awarded the "2008 Lifetime Achievement Award" by SWAIA.

Left:            Polychrome Jar w/ Feather Pattern                  5.25"w x 6.25"h       $1800.00

Center:       Black-on-black Jar with Feathers                    4.25"w x 4.75"h        $1100.00

Right:         Black Carved Jar with Avanyu                        5"w x 7"h                  $2100.00

Blue Corn (1921 - 1999) - San Ildefonso      

Polychrome pottery or the use of numerous clay slips, helped to make Blue Corn famous in the 1970's.  This bowl is an amazing piece and very unusual for its size and complexity of design.  Blue Corn began to make pottery in the 1950's. Her early pieces were the typical black-on-black style found at San Ildefonso at the time.  However, it was her polychrome pottery, using numerous clay slips, which were truly her "signature" and the source of her fame.  This is one of the largest pieces we have ever had of her polychrome pottery.  It is a stunning open stew bowl with a wonderful shape.  Note how the shoulder has a sharp point before returning back inward and up to the lip!  Below the shoulder is a rough micaceous clay slip, while the cream background area is fully polished.  The design around the neck is based on historic San Ildefonso geometric plant and snow patterns.  This bowl is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Blue Corn has been featured in books such as "The Legacy of Generations", and her work can be found in the permanent collection of numerous museums, including the Heard Museum, the Wheelwright Museum and others.  She also received the "2008 Lifetime Achievement Award" SWAIA.

14"w x 7.75"h

$7500.00  - SOLD

Popovi Da (1923 - 1971) - San Ildefonso   

Popovi Da was a son of potter, Maria Martinez.  While he worked with her, he also created a few pieces on his own.  It is not often that we come across pieces of his alone, but this feather plate is a beautiful example of the precision of his painting.  The polishing has a high shine in contrast to the matte of the feather pattern.  Much of his own work was smaller pieces, but each is dated on the back in the clay.  This plate is signed, "Popovi Da  1065", which means it was made in October, 1965.  The plate is in very good condition and definitely an exciting addition to any collection!

6.25" diameter

$7200.00

Carlos Dunlap (1958 -1981) - San Ildefonso

Carlos Dunlap is certainly one of the important San Ildefonso potters of the 1970's.  He learned to make pottery from his mother, Carmelita Dunlap, and he was renown for his innovative shapes and designs.  This terraced bowl is painted using numerous clay slips to create the colorations.  The shape is a terraced bowl, which is derived from traditional shapes.  The design  are water, lightning and prayer feather patterns.  While we see more of the polished black and brown fired vessels, it is not often that we see his polychrome pottery. This type of work is always demanding of time both in finding the clays, painted and firing.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Bowls of this size are always a find and certainly in this condition, an important addition to any collection!

10"w x 10"h

$3200.00 - SOLD

Carlos Dunlap (1958 - 1981) - San Ildefonso  

Carlos Dunlap was among the most creative potters working at San Ildefonso in the 1970's.  His work focused on traditional black-on-black pottery, as well as polychrome painting.  However, it is the scale of much of his work, and that of his mother, Carmelita, that is so striking today.  Many of his pieces were the size of this bowl, and much larger. This bowl has a traditional feather pattern on two sides, and then an almost contemporary style of painting on the other two sides.  The piece is well polished and in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 

12"w x 10"h

$3600.00

Carmelita Dunlap (1925 - 2000) - San Ildefonso  

Carmelita Dunlap was a daughter of Juanita Vigil and was raised by her aunt Desideria Montoya Sanchez.  She was the matriarch of a family of renown potters, including Carlos Dunlap, Linda Dunlap, Cynthia Star Flower, Martha Apple Leaf and Erik Fender.   She was renown for her large scale pottery, and her innovative designs which encompassed the entire surface of her vessels.  This is certainly one of the smallest pieces of her work we have ever had here in the gallery!  However, it is really fantastic, with a gunmetal firing and a series of feather painted around the neck of the bowl.  The feathers are perfect for the piece, painted with thick lines which gives it a very modern appearance.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is certainly a wonderful smaller piece by this award winning potter!

3.75"w x 3"h

$400.00 -  SOLD

Linda Dunlap - San Ildefonso  

Linda Dunlap is a daughter of noted potter Carmelita Dunlap who taught her to make pottery. This is a beautiful bowl by Linda with a classic shape and more contemporary design. The bowl has a sharp shoulder and there is a feather pattern above the shoulder.   Below the shoulder the bowl is painted matte near the base and has a series of dots representing snow. It is a beautiful contrast of matte and polished surfaces. 

4.5"w x 4"h

$300.00

           Erik Fender - San Ildefonso     

Erik Fender - San Ildefonso   

This is a striking jar from Erik Fender.  It is one of his polished polychrome vessels, with the cream fully polished and then the design is painted over the polished surface.  However, it is the initial shape which gives this piece such a striking appearance, with the narrower base and sharp shoulder which turns up to the rim.  The design from the neck to the shoulder has a series of feathers and there are also San Ildefonso style birds painted between the feather sections.  The birds and feathers are highlighted with natural green clay slip.  Around the body of the jar is a water serpent (avanyu), which encircles the piece, and is also highlighted by the green clay slip.  This is a fantastic balance of design, form, matte and polished surfaces.  Erik is a grandson of noted potter Carmelita Dunlap, and the son of Martha Appleleaf.  He has won numerous awards for his pottery and continues to be one the young innovators in native clay!

8.5"w x 7.5"h

$1000.00 - SOLD 

     Cavan Gonzales - San Ildefonso   

Cavan Gonzales is a great-great-great grandson of Maria Martinez, a son of noted potter Barbara Gonzales and a great-grandson of Santana & Adam Martinez.  He is renown for his elegant pottery and the use of such classic designs on his pottery.  Here are two very classic pieces of his pottery. On the left is a classic San Ildefonso shaped water jar, with a beautiful wide round shoulder and an elongated neck.  The piece is fully painted with a butterfly pattern around the neck and a floral design near the base.  Cavan has a wonderful sense of design and form, and it is perfectly evident on this piece!  The jar on the right is one of his few miniatures.  It is fully polished and has a narrow base, sharp shoulder and turned out mouth. Note that near the base there is a single painted tadpole as the design!  Cavan has won numerous awards for his pottery and continues to be one the young innovators in native clay!

Left:            Polychrome Jar with Butterfly Designs        9"w x 8"h            $2000.00

Right:         Miniature Black Jar                                          1.75"w x 3"h        $125.00

    John Gonzales - San Ildefonso   NEW

It has been a long time since we have had new work by John Gonzales.  He was one of the first artist shows we had in the gallery nearly 15 year ago!  John is a grandson of Ramona Gonzales, a son of Lorenzo Gonzales and a nephew of Blue Corn.  He is well known for his tightly incised pottery and especially his plates.  These two smaller pieces of his pottery are wonderful examples of the tightly incised designs on his work.  On the left is a bowl with four bears incised into the clay, each with a heartline.  The area behind the bears which as been incised out, is then slipped with a micaceous clay slip.   The plate on the right has a very tightly designed feather pattern and a series of four clouds, all incised into the surface of the clay.  There is a single piece of turquoise in the center of the plate.  John has won awards for his pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Market and Fair and other events.

Left:            Bowl Heartline Bears                                       4"w x 2.5"h                $200.00

Right:         Plate with Feather pattern and clouds          5.5" diameter            $300.00 - SOLD

Juanita Gonzales (1909-1988) & Louis "Wo-Peen" Gonzales (1907-1990) - San Ildefonso 

Juanita Gonzales and Louis "Wo-Peen" Gonzales were among the early San Ildefonso potters.  Juanita learned to make pottery from Rose Gonzales, who taught her how to carve the surface of the clay.  Her husband, Louis "Wo-Peen" was well known as one of the important early San Ildefonso painters.  He painted many of the black-on-black pieces of their pottery, while Juanita did the carved ware. This small bird is a simple fun beautiful example of their pottery.  It is in the shape of a bird and the entire piece is fully polished. Note in the second image above how beautifully the inside of the bird is polished! The bird is in excellent condition and it is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Juanita Wo-Peen". 

5.5" long x 4.25"w x 2.75"h

$375.00 - SOLD

Lorenzo Gonzales (1922-1995) - San Ildefonso   

It has been a long time since we have seen a piece of pottery by Lorenzo Gonzales.  He was a brother of noted potter Blue Corn, and the father of John Gonzales.  This bowl is beautifully polished and painted with a feather pattern from the rim to the shoulder. The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is definitely a unique piece of pottery from a renowned family at San Ildefonso.

4.75"w x 2.25"h

$300.00 - SOLD

Ramona Sanchez Gonzales (1885 - 1934) - San Ildefonso 

Ramona Gonzales was one of the early potters, along with Maria Martinez her sisters (Desideria & Anna) to help promote the black-on-black pottery of San Ildefonso pueblo beginning in 1919.  She was the step-mother of Blue Corn & Lorenzo Gonzales and the mother-in-law of Rose Gonzales, whom she taught to make pottery.  This polychrome plate is definitely an exciting piece of her pottery!  It is published in the book "Pueblo Pottery:  750 Artist Biographies" by Greg Schaaf on page 180.  It has a wonderful design with a central cloud pattern and stylized clouds encircling the the central medallion.  The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is always exciting to find such a wonderful early piece of San Ildefonso pottery in such great condition and also published!  This is definitely an important addition to any collection.

10" diameter

$1100.00 -  SOLD

   Rose Gonzales (1900 - 1989) - San Ildefonso   

Rose Gonzales was one of the early innovators of deeply carved pottery at San Ildefonso pueblo in the 1930's.  However, she also did painted pottery in addition to the carved pieces.  Here are two classic early pieces of her pottery.  Their unique style can be seen in how she influenced contemporary potters such as Dora Tse-Pe  and Russell Sanchez.  The bowl on the left has a deeply carved rain and lightning design extending down from the mouth and an undulating river design encircling the piece. The bowl is beautifully polished and the area behind the carving has been filled in with the classic red clay slip, as opposed to the later cream colored clay.  The jar on the right is one of the few with a red-on-red design outlined with a white clay slip.  This style of painting was very popular in the 1930's and 1940's and then diminished over time.  The design on the jar has a lightning and cloud pattern perfectly painted onto the shoulder.  Note how she left "negative space" at the top of the design, giving it almost a modern appearance!  Both pieces are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  They are each signed on the bottom in the clay, "Rose".  Classic work like this by Rose is definitely an exciting addition to any collection!

Left:            Red Bowl with Carved Cloud and River Design                 6"w x 3"h          $800.00 - SOLD

Right:         Polychrome Jar with Cloud and Lightning Design             5.5"w x 4"h       $600.00

Helen Gutierrez (1930-1993) - San Ildefonso      

$800.00 - SOLD

Carol Gutierrez - San Ildefonso      

Adam Martinez (1904 -  2000) & Santana Martinez (1909 - 2002) - San Ildefonso    

Adam and Santana Martinez were amazing collaborators in the world of Pueblo pottery. Although they worked on pottery together, from the 1940's to the 1950's, Santana also painted the designs on her mother in law's (Maria Martinez) pottery. This oval bowl is fully polished on the inside and outside.  Technically, that is always difficult as pieces are more likely to crack with the application of additional wet clay slip for the polishing.  While the bowl is not painted, it is beautifully polished and formed, creating a very elegant vessel.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay.  It is in very good condition with  no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. 

11" long x 8.5"w x 3"h

$1800.00 - SOLD

Anita Martinez (d. 1992) - San Ildefonso   

It is not often that we come across work by Anita Martinez, the daughter of Santana & Adam Martinez and the mother of Barbara Gonzales.  Anita was well known for her plainware pottery and especially unique forms, such as this is a fantastic oval lidded box.  The box is highly polished and is simply fired a plain black.  The lid has a cloud or kiva step design as the "handle".  The raised part is also fully polished.  The box is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Anita's pottery is definitely a great example of the continuing legacy of Maria Martinez and her family.

7.5"long x 4"w x 5"h

$1100.00 - SOLD

    Beverly Martinez (1960-1991) - San Ildefonso   NEW

Beverly Martinez  was a granddaughter of Santana & Adam Martinez and a daughetr of Viola Martinez and a sister to Marvin Martinez.  These are two beautiful example of her pottery.  The open bowl on the left is fully polished both on the interior and the outside.  It is simple, yet classic. The bowl on the right is painted with a feather pattern.  It has been wonderfully fired with areas of gunmetal which highlight the feather pattern.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Left:        Open Bowl, fully polished                4.25"w x 2"h        $150.00

Right:     Bowl with Feather Pattern                  3"w x 2"h            $150.00 - SOLD

Lupita Martinez (b. 1918) - San Ildefonso   

Lupita Martinez is today one of the oldest potters at San Ildefonso pueblo. This bowl is a classic cloud pattern painted around the rim.  Typical of her work it is highly polished and very traditional in form with the wide shoulder and open mouth.  This bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

6"w x 2.5"h

$250.00 - SOLD

            Maria Martinez (1887-1980) & Julian Martinez (1897-1943)

                            Signature "Marie", Circa 1923-1930

   Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso  

This small plate is a wonderful example of the early pottery of Maria Martinez.  This piece was made by Maria and then painted by her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  The plate is signed "Marie" in the clay on the back, which identifies it among her earliest work dating from 1920's.  The plate is unusual, as it has been fired red, as opposed to her more typical black ware.  The piece is red with a cream colored clay slip used to paint the design on the polished surface.  The design is amazingly complicated based on a shawl pattern.  The design has intricately connected square patterns and triangular designs which extend to the rim.  As well, note how Julian painted the two sections so that they are not equally symmetrical but with one larger and one smaller area.  In his early work, Julian was masterful at his designs. He utilized unique imagery on many pieces which by the late 1930's he no longer used and are rarely seen today.  The plate is fully polished on the front and the back, which in later pieces of her work, the back was left unpolished.    The plate is in very good condition, with some very tiny rubs on the rim, but no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Early works by Maria in red and also with such unique imagery are exciting to find and definitely unique. 

5" diameter x 1.25"h

$1500.00 - SOLD

      Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

This long neck jar is a wonderful early example of pottery by Maria Martinez.  This piece is signed "Marie" in the clay on the bottom, which identifies it among her earliest work dating from 1920's. It is a classic form with a low, round shoulder and an elongated neck. The low shoulder has a cloud and rain pattern painted as the design, while the neck has a feather pattern.  It is unusual that the feather pattern extends up the neck into "open space".  While the jar was made by Maria, it was then painted by her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  During this earliest period of their work, Julian's designs are among his most creative and innovative.  However, it is the firing which makes this jar so stunning!  It has been fired to a beautiful gunmetal coloration, which is a result of the high heat of the outdoor firing process.  There intensity of the heat can almost be read as the jar is turned, as areas are more metallic than others.  On the surface, there are even areas where the plant matter from the manure has burned onto the polished surface.  The jar is in great condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is exciting to find a jar of this creativity in such great condition!  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

6.75"w x 10.25"h

$7200.00

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso NEW

While Maria is renown for her black-on-black pottery, she began with red ware and polychrome pottery. This beautiful early plate is a classic example of her buff-on-red pottery.  The surface is highly polished red with a buff design painted by her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  The design on this plate is a star pattern in the center with fine line painted designs around the rim. The imagery is reminiscent of more pre-historic pottery designs with intricately painted rims and open centers.  The center of this plate has a linear star pattern to replicate the star painted as the main design.  There are additional close-ups of the designs on the rim.  The piece is signed, "Marie" on the back in the clay.  It is in very good condition.  Early red ware works by Maria are certainly unique!  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

12" diameter

$8800.00

   Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso

While Maria is renown for her pottery forms and polishing, the early years of her work are made especially elegant by the spectacular painting of her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  While he began with polychrome pottery, it is amazing how easily he found an unexpected balance of form, space and design in the black-on-black pottery.  This is a very large bowl from the earliest time period of Maria's pottery, made in the 1920's.  The bowl has a feather pattern painted around the entire piece. 

They are larger feathers than on later pieces, where Julian began to paint them with a tighter line.  However, they seem to fit perfectly on a bowl this size!  The piece is signed, "Marie" on the bottom in the clay.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair, but some surface scratches on the bottom (as the bottom is polished and not matte) .  Early works by Maria in such great condition and with such spectacular imagery are beautiful and unique.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

12.75"w x 6"h

$13,500.00

                Maria Martinez (1887-1980) & Julian Martinez (1897-1943)

                            Signature "Marie + Julian", 1930-1943

  Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso   

This large jar is an striking example of the pottery by Maria Martinez from the 1930's.  At this time while Maria was making the pottery, her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943) was painting the designs.  This jar is among her larger pieces and many in this shape were actually used for flowers.  Their utilitarian use has resulted in many being water damaged or broken over time.  Finding this shape in good condition always seems to be a challenge and surprise.  The jar has an elegant form, with a round body and a long neck.  It is highly polished which further enhances the delicate lines of the form.  Julian has painted a cloud and rain design around the neck.  Around the shoulder is a series of bird wing and prayer feather patterns.  The use of this imagery further indicates that it is an earlier piece, as Julian was still experimenting with his designs.  The jar in in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few small surface dings but nothing unusual for a piece this age.  Vessels by Maria in this size and from this early time period are certainly an important addition to any collection!  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

8"w x 12"h

$15,000.00

  Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso  

This large bowl is a beautiful example of the pottery by Maria Martinez from the early 1930's.  At this time while Maria was making the pottery, her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943) was painting the designs. The bowl is a classic shape with a narrower base and round shoulder.  The design is a butterfly pattern, which can easily be seen in the first image above.  The design is repeated around the entire piece and where the wings meet there are triangular prayer feather designs.  This is definitely an unusual design and  indicates that it is an earlier piece, as Julian was still experimenting with his imagery.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Marie + Julian" The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Vessels by Maria in this size and from this early time period are certainly an important addition to any collection!  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

11"w x 6.75"h

$16,000.00

   Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso 

Maria Martinez is most famous for her highly polished black pottery which she began making in the early 1920's.  In collaboration with her husband,  Julian Martinez (1897-1943), they worked together on their pottery with Maria making and polishing the vessels while Julian painted the designs.  These two bowls are both signed "Maria + Julian" and are from the 1930's.  The large open bowl on the left is plain, but fully polished on the inside and onto the bottom!   Technically, most potters avoid this as adding more wet slip on either the outside or inside after one area is polished will increase the chances for it to crack. This large open bowl is simple and elegant with a high polish.  The jar on the right is a classic shape with a wide shoulder and sloping mouth. The design is a "wide feather" pattern which Julian revived first and then began making them more narrow on the plates.  The shape of the feathers is perfect for the shape of the jar, a testament to his ability to design for the individual piece.  The jar is a deep black coloration from the firing.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. They are certainly classic examples reflecting both Maria and Julian's legacy on Pueblo pottery! 

Left:        Large Open Fully polished bowl        12"w x 3"h            $5500.00

Right:     Jar with Wide Feather Pattern              7"w x 6"h              $4200.00 - SOLD

                Maria Martinez (1887-1980) & Santana Martinez (1909-2002)

                            Signature "Marie & Santana" 1943-1956

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

This bowl is from the 1950's and was made by Maria Martinez and painted by her daughter-in-law, Santana.  It is signed on the bottom, in the clay, "Marie + Santana".  The bowl is a wonderful shape with a sharp shoulder and a simple seed pattern painted around the neck. The bowl has a high polish and the round designs are a perfect complement for the form.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

5.25"w x 3"h

$2200.00

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

This is a fantastic piece of Maria's pottery from the 1950's.  She made and polished the bowl and it was painted her daughter-in-law, Santana. The bowl is beautifully polished and has a bird tail design painted from the rim to the shoulder.  The design perfectly complements the shape with its wide, sharp shoulder.  The piece is signed on the bottom, in the clay, "Marie + Santana". The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

5.5"w x 4"h

$3300.00

  Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   

This is one of the first redware pieces by Maria and Santana we have had in the gallery.   This piece is from the 1950's and was made by Maria Martinez and painted by her daughter-in-law, Santana (1909-2002).  It is signed on the bottom, in the clay, "Marie + Santana".  In the 1960's when Maria began working with her son, Popovi Da, they began reviving red and polychrome pottery, but in the 1950's, Maria and Santana made very few red pieces together.  This open bowl is a classic style of Maria's pottery with a fully polished body (including the bottom).  The avanyu is painted using a cream colored clay and encompasses the entire surface of the bowl.  Red vessels are always more difficult to fire than the blackware  pottery, and this bowl has a wonderful coloration of red from the firing.  It is  in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This is certainly an exciting piece by Maria and Santana, and a visual expression of her impact and creativity in Pueblo pottery!  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

6.5"w x 3.5"h

$9200.00

  Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

This plate is from the 1950's and was made by Maria Martinez and painted by her daughter-in-law, Santana.  It is signed on the back, in the clay, "Marie + Santana".  The plate has a feather pattern painted onto the surface.  The feathers are tightly painted surrounding a central plain medallion. The plate is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few light scratches on the surface and some "dimples" from the firing.  This small plate is a great way to add a piece by one of the most important Pueblo potters to a collection!  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

6" diameter

$1000.00

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   

This open bowl is from the 1950's, and was made by Maria Martinez and her daughter-in-law, Santana.  It is signed on the bottom, in the clay, "Marie + Santana".  The bowl is fully polished and has stunning appearance!  Technically, this is one of the most difficult bowls to make, as it fully polished on the inside and the outside.  The high polish and near-gunmetal in the firing (take a closer look at the first image), reveal the simple elegance of this piece!  This bowl is  in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This is certainly an exciting piece by Maria Martinez, and a visual expression of her impact and creativity in Pueblo pottery!  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

9.5"w x 3.75"h

$2800.00

   Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

Maria Martinez was renown for the elegant form and high stone polished surfaces of her pottery.  Throughout her career, it was her husband Julian, daughter-in-law Santana and son Popovi Da who painted the designs.  In the 1950's Maria made a series of pieces which were plain and signed with her Tewa name, "Maria Poveka", as Poveka means Water Lilly.  This bowl is a wonderful round shape and the entire surface is fully polished!  The bowl has been fired to create a near gunmetal appearance achieved from the firing.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This is certainly a classic example of her pottery in form, polish and firing.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

7.25"w x 4"h

$2200.00

     Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

Maria's pottery is well known for the beautifully painted designs.  However, she only made the pottery and stone polished the surface.  During the 1950's she made a series of pieces which were plain and signed with her Tewa name, "Maria Poveka", which means Water Lilly.  This elegant water jar is a classic shape for Maria's pottery.  The jar has a high shoulder and a fluted rim.  The polishing is simply perfect, with small areas of gunmetal coloration to a jar which has an overall deep black appearance.  The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This is certainly a classic example of her pottery in form, polish and firing.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

8.25"w x 9"h

$9500.00

                Maria Martinez (1887-1980) & Popovi Da (1923 - 1971)

                            Signature "Maria + Popovi", Circa 1956-1971. Firing Dates began to appear in 1959.

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   

This is a classic jar from Maria Martinez and Popovi Da (1923-71).  Maria made and polished the bowl and it was painted by her son, Popovi Da.  The jar has a classic feather pattern painted from the rim to the shoulder. Typical of much of Popovi's pottery there are three bands painted around the shoulder of the piece.  The jar is signed "Maria - Popovi 867" and the firing date is "867", meaning it was fired in August, 1967.  It is truly the firing which makes this vessel so stunning!  The gunmetal coloration is even throughout most of the piece, creating a elegant contrast to the matte painted designs.  The gunmetal firing was a hallmark of Popovi Da's pottery and something which few potters even today are able to achieve.  It is near perfect condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Vessels by Maria and Popovi both of this size and in this condition are certainly becoming rarer to find as more pieces enter museums.

6"w x 5.25"h

$6000.00

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   

This is a very traditional style bowl by Maria Martinez and Popovi Da (1923-71).  Maria made and polished the bowl and it was painted by her son, Popovi Da.  The piece has a classic water serpent (avanyu) painted from the rim to the shoulder. Typical of much of Popovi's pottery there are four humps to the water serpent, representing the four cardinal directions.  The bowl is signed "Maria - Popovi" indicating that it was made in the late 1950's.  The bowl is a dark black in coloration.  It is in very good condition, with a few abrasions on the surface.  However, it is definitely a classic example of the pottery by these two influential potters!

6"w x 4"h

$3600.00

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   

This is the most uniquely designed pieces we have come across by Maria Martinez and her son, Popovi Da (1923-71).  Maria made and polished the bowl and it was painted by her son, Popovi Da.  The jar has a bird tail and wing pattern painted above the shoulder of the piece.  The surface decoration is wonderful and very unique for such an early piece of their work.  It signed on the bottom,  "Maria - Popovi 12/60" indicating that it was made and fired in December of 1960.  This was at the very beginning of when Popovi Da began to use firing dates on his pottery.  Note as well the wonderful coloration, which is has a dark black color with a slight gunmetal shine.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is definitely a special piece of the pottery by these two influential potters!

6.75"w x 4.75"h

$7700.00 - SOLD

Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso   

This small plate is an early piece made by Maria Martinez and then painted by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971).  It has a classic feather pattern radiating out from the central polished center.  Typical of Popovi's painting, the feathers are elongated and amazingly precise.  This plate has been fired a dark black, not like the gunmetal firings later seen in their work.  The plate is signed "Maria/Popovi" in the clay and it is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This small plate is definitely a classic, and have had a metal museum mount made for it to give it stability and to recognize the importance of the piece.  We highly recommend Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" for more information on Maria Martinez and Popovi Da.

6" diameter

$3000.00 -  SOLD

Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso   

  Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso   

This bowl is certainly a "classic" piece on many levels.  It was made by Maria Martinez and then painted by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971).  The shape is a classic one for Maria, with the open mouth and the low shoulder.  As well, the entire piece is fully polished, even on the bottom!  The polish is extraordinary, with a glass-like appearance.  It isn't the gunmetal coloration, or a dark black, but such a high glassy shine it is almost like looking into a mirror!  The design painted by Popovi Da is classic with the small, tightly painted feathers and the two boxed areas with cloud and rain designs.  The bowl is signed "Maria/Popovi 362" in the clay and has a firing date of 362 (March, 1962).  This bowl is in great condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Finding piece by Maria and Popovi of such classic form, polish and design combined with great condition is always exciting and an important addition to any collection!  We highly recommend Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" for more information on Maria Martinez and Popovi Da.

7"w x 3.75"h

$7000.00 - SOLD

Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso   

Here is an uniquely designed plate by Maria Martinez and her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971).   Maria made the plates and stone polished them.  They were then painted by Popovi Da.  He is often considered one of the finest and most innovative painters on pottery at San Ildefonso.  They began working together in the late 1950's and beginning about 1960 Popovi Da started to add a firing date to the back or bottom of the pottery. This plate is an early piece as there is not a firing date, but it is signed "Maria / Popovi" in the clay on the back. The design is unusual with the use of the feather pattern to create a pair of wings.  Technically this is a difficult pattern to paint, as there design has to be much more symmetrical and even than if there are only feathers.  The imagery on this plate is so perfectly painted onto the clay they almost appear as if the wings has simply brushed against the clay.  The plate has been fired to dark gunmetal coloration.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

12" diameter

$15,750.00 - SOLD

Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso   

Maria Martinez is certainly among the most important potters of the twentieth century.  Her creation of black-on-black pottery helped influence the entire Southwest.  This plate is a beautiful example of her pottery from the late 1950's.  Throughout her life, Maria only made the pottery, and it was decorated by others in her family.  This highly polished plate was painted by her son, Popovi Da (1923-1971).  The symmetry of his painting is near perfection, giving the plate a sense of elegance!  Popovi Da is often considered one of the finest and most innovative painters on pottery at San Ildefonso.  This plate was made in the late 1950's and signed "Maria/Popovi".  At this time, they had not yet begun adding the firing date to their pottery. The plate has been fired to a beautiful black coloration, which is in perfect contrast to the matte of the painted surface.  Take a closer look and note the center of the plate and even tonality of the firing, which as the plates were fired sitting on top of other pottery, often have a more uneven color in the center.  The plate is in very good condition with no cracks, restoration or repair.  The previous owners had it in a plate hanger, so there are three very small chips in the rim.  While there is nothing structurally wrong with the piece and the chips are tiny, the plate has been priced with them in mind.  A large plate of this calibre is always difficult to find and definitely a beautiful addition to any collection!

11.75" diameter

$7700.00

    Juanita (d. circa 1940) & Tony (d. circa 1940) Pena - San Ildefonso   

Juanita and Tony Pena were well known in the 1930's for their part in the creation of carved pottery at San Ildefonso pueblo.  This bowl is a beautiful example of the thin walled vessels with carved designs. The pattern here is a lightning and rain pattern carved four times around the bowl.  The bowl is signed in the clay on the bottom, "Tony + Juanita".   This bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is definitely a wonderful piece of early San Ildefonso carved-ware history!

7"w x 4.5"h

$650.00 - SOLD

Tonita  (1892-1945) & Juan (1896-1990) Roybal - San Ildefonso   NEW

Tonita and Juan Roybal were among the contemporaries of Maria and Julian Martinez, creating painted ware pottery in the early 1900's.  She and her husband were married in 1916 and began making pottery together in 1917.  This stunning long necked jar is signed, "Tonita & Juan" in the clay on the bottom.  This signifies that it was made by Tonita and painted by Juan, and it is most likely from the 1930's.  Further indication to this time period is that it is red-on-red, as opposed to the later buff-on-red seen at San Ildefonso.  The jar has a stylistic bird wing pattern, which fits beautifully on the shoulder of the piece!  This jar is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is definitely a wonderful piece of early San Ildefonso carved-ware history!

4.75"w x 6.25"h

$600.00

Desideria Montoya Sanchez (1889 - 1982) - San Ildefonso   NEW

Desideria was a sister of noted potter Maria Martinez.  She also created elegant black-on-black pottery, but her forms and painted designs are distinctly different from those of Maria & Julian.  Hear are two larger pieces of her pottery. The water jar on the left has a high, near gunmetal firing in coloration.  The design is painted around the neck and it is a mountain and rain pattern.  The design works perfectly with such a graceful form. The bowl on the right is a more classic round shape with a high shoulder and smaller mouth.  The design is painted onto the shoulder of the bowl it is a lightning, rain and thunder pattern.  The bowl has more of a dark black coloration from the firing, but still a high shine.  Both pieces are in very good condition, with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Both pieces are signed in the clay on the bottom, "Desideria".  They are certainly delicately painted and creative vessels by one of the important early San Ildefonso potters! 

Left:            Jar with Rain Designs                            5.5"w x 7.5"h         $1000.00

Right:         Bowl with Lightning Patterns              8.785"w x 6.5"h     $2000.00

       Tse-Pe Gonzales (1940 - 2000) - San Ildefonso     

Tse-Pe Gonzales (1940 - 2000) & Dora (b. 1939) - San Ildefonso      NEW

$800.00

 Dora Tse-Pe (b. 1939) - San Ildefonso

Dora learned to make pottery from her mother-in-law, Rose Gonzales.  She continues in a similar style of carving on her pottery to this day. This bowl is a unique example of her pottery, with highly polished red medallions.  Each has a different design with a bear.  The first medallion has a single bear with a heartline.  The second a bear with an inset piece of turquoise.  The third has two bears, each with a heartline.  All of the medallions are surrounded with inlaid shell hei-shi beads.  The remainder of the bowl is a micaceous clay slip in contrast to the polished surfaces of the incised medallions.  Dora has won numerous awards for her work and can be found in numerous books, including "The Art of Clay" and "Legacy of Generations". 

8.5"w x 5.25"h

$1500.00

Dora Tse-Pe (b. 1939) - San Ildefonso NEW

Stunning!  This is one of the few large jars we have had by Dora Tse-Pe, and it is a reflection of amazing skill as a potter!  The jar is a classic water jar shape with a very round body.   Few potters are able to create a shape as elegant as this and maintain such round proportions!  The neck is slipped with a micaceous clay.  Separating the micaceous and polished parts of the jar is a single band of turquoise hei-shi beads.  The body has a carved avanyu as the design.  There is a single piece of turquoise with a brownish-red matrix which is  a beautiful complement to the red of the jar itself! The area below the water serpent is also fully polished.  Dora learned to make pottery from her mother-in-law, Rose Gonzales.  She continues in a similar style of carving on her pottery to this day. She has won numerous awards for her work and can be found in numerous books, including "The Art of Clay" and "Legacy of Generations". 

8"w x 9.5"h

$6200.00

Dora Tse-Pe (b. 1939) - San Ildefonso  

Each piece of pottery by Dora Tse-Pe combines traditional forms and designs often inspired by her mother in law, Rose Gonzales.  Dora's pottery is perfectly formed, carved and polished.  There is a simple elegance to each piece and a wonderful feel holding in one's hands!  Here are three very different examples of her pottery.  The  jar on the left has a classic style avanyu, which is fully polished red.  The entire base of the jar is also polished red.  The neck has a micaceous clay slip, which is a beautiful contrast to the polished surfaces.  Note as well that the neck has been carved with a lightning design and there is also a single inset piece of turquoise for the eye of the avanyu.  The bowl in the center is highly polished black and has a tan two-tone medallion with an inset piece of turquoise.  On the left is a classic style jar from Dora, with a long neck and a sharp shoulder.  The jar is fully polished to a glassy appearance and has a water serpent (avanyu) carved around the shoulder.  Dora's style of carving into the clay creates a delicate negative edge for her imagery.  Simple, flawless, elegant and beautiful! Dora has won numerous awards for her work and can be found in numerous books, including "The Art of Clay" and "Legacy of Generations". 

Left:                    Red Jar w/ Avanyu                                5"w x 5"h                 $2000.00

Center:               Bowl w/ Turquoise Stone                    3.5"w x 3.25"h         $1000.00

Right:                 Black Jar with Carved Avanyu           2.75"w x 5.5"h         $1600.00

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