Blue Corn (1921 - 1999) - San Ildefonso      NEW

While Blue Corn began her career making black pottery she became renowned for her distinctive style of polychrome pottery.  Each piece as stone polished and the painted with various clay slips to create the color.   The jar on the left is polished tan and has a feather pattern which encircles the bowl.  The feathers are tightly painted and the tips of each is  highlighted with a green clay slip.  The flat bowl in the center has a star pattern painted on the top of the fully polished bowl.  There are lines eminating out from the sides of the star and a peach colored slip highlights a lightning pattern in each of the four sections.  The small seedpot on the right is fully polished and has a very tightly painted feather pattern.  The tip of each feather is highlighted with a yellow colored clay.  All three pieces are in very good conditoin with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  They each have some slight bit of fugitive black but something not always uncommon to her pottery as she used both vegetal and mineral slips for the black. Each piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Blue Corn, San Ildefonso".   Blue Corn was so exacting in her pottery and innovative in her designs that over a decade after her passing, her pottery continues to be influential and highly sought after.  In both a testament to her skill as an potter and a reflection of her creativity, she was posthumously awarded the 2008 "Lifetime Achievement Award" by SWAIA and her work can also be found in "Legacy of Generations".

Left:            Bowl with Green Tip Feathers                2.75"w x 2"h             $500.00

Center:        Flat Bowl with Star Pattern                     3.5"w x 1.5"h            $600.00

Right:          Seedpot with Yellow Tip Feathers        1.75"w x 1.25"h        $250.00    

Blue Corn was renown for her of polychrome pottery at San Ildefonso pueblo and also sought out pre-historic design elements. However, she first learned to make the classic black-on-black pottery from Maria Martinez.  These two pieces are beautifully polished and painted.  The jar on the left had a cloud and rain pattern painted on neck of the piece.  The bowl on the right has a wide shoulder shape with a feather pattern painted around the rim.  There are 56 tightly painted feathers!  Around the shoulder is a checkerboard pattern. The bowl is highly polished in contrast to the tightly painted matte design.  Both pieces are highly polished and tightly painted.  They are each from the 1970's and are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  In both a testament to her skill as an potter and a reflection of her creativity, she was posthumously awarded the 2008 "Lifetime Achievement Award" by SWAIA and her work can also be found in the book "The Legacy of Generations".

Left:         Black Jar with Rain Cloud Design              3.5"w x 4.25"h           $625.00

Right:      Bowl with Feather Pattern                            8.75"w x 3.5"h            $1500.00

   Jarrod Da (b. 1973) - San Ildefonso  NEW

Jarrod Da is the painter of innovative and creative works of pastel on paper.  His imagery is a blend of traditional San Ildefonso designs, iconography used by his father, Tony Da, and also Jarrod's own interpretation of the modern world. This painting is inspired by the work of Jarrod's grandfather, Popovi Da.  This classic style of deer was a design that he would use not only in his paintings, but also on the pottery.  Jarrod has given it a modern appearance surrounded by the two geometric sunface images and the surrounding stylized feather patterns around the border.  Jarrod notes that it was often said that some of the two-dimensional paintings of San Ildefonso were simply "Bambi Art", he wanted to show that this classic imagery could also take on a more modern appearance.  It is a captivating connection between the past and the future of Native art!  Jarrod's growing mastery of soft pastels is evident in his latest body of work.  The colors are beautifully blended but the imagery is also tightly detailed.  Jarrod Da is the son of noted potter Tony Da, the grandson of Popovi Da and a great-grandson of Maria Martinez.  Although raised in a family renown for pottery, Jarrod is making his artistic skills known through his painting.   Jarrod is certainly a young artist to watch with his use of such a distinctive medium and an analytical eye for interpreting the world he paints.  Jarrod has won several awards for his paintings at Santa Fe Indian Market and we look forward to seeing more of his creative and distinctive work!

Original Pastel on Paper

16" x 20"

$850.00

Jarrod Da is the painter of innovative and creative works of pastel on paper.  His imagery is a blend of traditional San Ildefonso designs, iconography used by his father, Tony Da, and also Jarrod's own interpretation of the modern world. The painting on the left is entitled, "Comet and Nucleus" which Jarrod says, "was made to honor the stars and our connection to them.  The comet represent the natural cycle or orbit of nature and how every so often we get a glimpse of one of these magnificent wonders.  The horse and its movement show freedom and spirit in its full gallop.  The horse is also sitting inside the half circle which give it a sense of no gravity.  The Pueblo wall and steps that move out to each side of the paper represents human civilization and the structures we build.  The red and yellow tiled motif is the sun and with the sunlight radiating out the top of the painting.  The blue circles inside the sun motif represent the moon and its cycles."   The painting on the right is one of his smaller works and he note of this piece that it was, "made to celebrate the Deer Dancer and its role in Pueblo culture.  The Deer Dancer comes from research and influence from my great-grandfather Julian Martinez and the painting he made documenting dances at San Ildefonso.  The rain cloud design signifies rejuvenation and the Black Mesa in the foreground is to honor our culture and past ancestors".   Jarrod's growing mastery of soft pastels is evident in his latest body of work.  The colors are beautifully blended but the imagery is also tightly detailed.  Jarrod Da is the son of noted potter Tony Da, the grandson of Popovi Da and a great-grandson of Maria Martinez.  Although raised in a family renown for pottery, Jarrod is making his artistic skills known through his painting.   Jarrod is certainly a young artist to watch with his use of such a distinctive medium and an analytical eye for interpreting the world he paints.  Jarrod has won several awards for his paintings at Santa Fe Indian Market and we look forward to seeing more of his creative and distinctive work!

Original Pastel on Paper

Left:        Mustang and Comet                       24" x 30"                $950

Right      Deer Dancer & Black Mesa           12"x  16"                $650.00

   Tony Da (1940 - 2008) - San Ildefonso   

Over the course of a career that spanned from 1967-82, Tony helped change the world of Pueblo pottery.   He was among the first to begin etching into the surface of the pottery (sgraffito), adding stones, hei-shi and then began creating all matte carved vessels.  His pottery today is considered to be among the most sought after by collectors and museum alike. He was the son of noted potter Popovi Da, and the grandson of Maria Martinez and learned to make pottery from Maria. This beautiful bowl is from a very distinctive period of his work.  This piece is part of a series of bowls he did in 1971-2, after his father passed away.  They are very different in form and design his earlier work.  They were the first steps away from the more traditional work he had made under his father's guidance a first step towards his more distinctive pottery of the next decade. This jar has a sharp shoulder and sloping neck. The design is a series of five prayer feathers etched into the clay.  Note how they are all at an angle and at the base of each is a single rain line coming down and a very tiny seed design!  Below the shoulder there is one incised bear paw.  The jar is fully polished and signed on the bottom in the clay "DA".  The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  What a stunning and historically important addition to any collection!  Tony Da's pottery and paintings were the focus of an exhibit entitled, "Creative Spark: The Life and Art of Tony Da" at the Museum of Indian Art and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe in 2011.

4.25"w x 3.25"h

Tony Da was famous for his intricately etched pottery as well as his unique abstract paintings.  While he was unable to continue making pottery after his accident in 1982, he did a few additional paintings along with an original serigraph.  The serigraph was an edition of 150 and was based on one of his earlier painting.  A serigraph is created with a silkscreen process, so each piece is an original as the paints are applied and it is run through the press.  This serigraph was entitled, "Fetish Bear" and was printed in 1995 and each piece was hand signed and numbered by Tony Da.  There are two versions of the serigraph.  One has additional turquoise stones added and is without the turquoise stones.  The ones with the turquoise have a single stone in the center and 16 smaller stones on the mountain design surrounding the bear.  We are lucky at the moment to have one of each type in the gallery.  Both serigraphs are in perfect condition.  They are certainly a fascinating addition to any collection!  Tony Da's pottery and paintings were the focus of an exhibit entitled, "Creative Spark: The Life and Art of Tony Da" at the Museum of Indian Art and Culture (MIAC) in Santa Fe in 2011.

Left:        Serigraph with turquoise            21" x 21"        $1200.00

Right:     Serigraph w/o turquoise             21" x 21"         $850.00 - SOLD

Erik Fender is the son of Martha Appleleaf and the grandson of noted potter Carmelita Dunlap.  Erik combines classic San Ildefonso imagery with his own creative style.  On the left is a traditional style canteen which is highly polished and painted with a water serpent and cloud patterns.  He has used a green clay slip to paint the designs, which creates a beautiful contrast to the black polished surface. The neck of the canteen is a micaceous clay slip.  Erik added the leather strap on the handles.  On the right is a highly polished black bowl with green slip used to create the avanyu (water serpent) design around the shoulder.  Around the neck are cloud and wind designs while around the base are prayer feathers . The painting on his pottery creates a striking appearance with a strong visual contrast of the matte to the polished surfaces.  Erick has won numerous awards for his pottery and continues to be one of the young innovators from San Ildefonso pueblo!

Left:            Canteen                            7"w x 5.25"h                    $600.00

Right:         Bowl with Avanyu         5.25"w x 4"h                    $450.00

Barbara is a great granddaughter of Maria Martinez, and the granddaughter of noted potters Santana & Adam.  Barbara Gonzales.  Barbara learned to make pottery from Maria and Santana and created her own distinctive style in the 1970's.  The use of spiders dominates much of her work and the spiders are all seen as symbols of good luck.  The bowl on the left is from 1982 and it has a beautiful firing with gunmetal colored areas. The design on one side is a spider inset with turquoise and coral and highlighted in sienna.  On the other side is a single spider inset with coral.  Around the rim are cloud designs with seven small inset pieces of turquoise.  The rim is also sienna and the bowl has a beautiful balance of form and design.  The canteen on the right is fully designed on both sides. On one side there is a medallion with a prayer feather pattern which is surrounded by a triangular design and then a feather pattern.  There is a single inset piece of coral in the center of the medallion. On the opposite side is a single spider inset with turquoise and jet and highlighted with sienna coloration.  There are three additional smaller spiders also inset with coral.  There is a leather cord tied to each of the handles.  Both pieces are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks restoration or repair.  Barbara has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Indian Market and other events.  Her work can be found in museums nationwide and she is also featured in various books, including The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez.

Left:            Black & Sienna Bowl with Spider Motif and Inset Stones                5.5"w x 4.5"h            $800.00

Right:         Black &Sienna Canteen with Feather Pattern & Spider                     7"w x 6"h                  $900.00

Cavan is a great-great grandson of Maria Martinez, and the son of note potter Barbara Gonzales.  His creative pottery brings to life many of the old traditions of the pueblo.  On the left is a black-on-red jar with a feather and storm pattern as the design.  The black is a mineral slip which is applied on the rag polished red clay surface.  This style is reminiscent of the pottery at the pueblo before 1900.  The bowl is beautifully painted and Cavan has added his own touch of a row of turquoise hei-shi beads.  The bowl on the right is stunning with a highly stone polished surface. The design is painted onto the clay and then the fired to turn it black, in the same way originated by the Matriarch of his family.  The design on the bowl is a perfectly painted feather pattern separated by two storm pattern designs.  Note the small dots in one section of the design, which are meant to represent snow!  Cavan has won numerous awards for his pottery and his pieces can be found in museums around the US.  He is also featured in various books, including The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez. He continues to bring to life the tradition revived by his family over a century ago!

Left:            Black-on-Red Bowl with Feather pattern/Turquoise          4"w x 3.75"h          $525.00

Right:         Black Jar with Feather & Storm Pattern                                 4"w x 3.5"h            $550.00

While most potters are content to work with polished black or red firings, Cavan has built a career around the revival of polychrome and black-on-red pottery designs.  On the left is a bowl with an avanyu (water serpent) which encircles the bowl.  The avanyu is painted with a black mineral slip on the red rag polished surface. The bowl on the right is unusual for its oval shape.  The design is a storm pattern which encircles the bowl and extends down from the rim.  Again, he has re-created the black-on-red style of pottery.  Cavan is a great-great grandson of Maria Martinez, and the son of note potter Barbara Gonzales.  Cavan has won numerous awards for his pottery and his pieces can be found in museums around the US.  He is also featured in various books, including The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez. He continues to bring to life the tradition revived by his family over a century ago!

Left:            Black-on-Red Bowl with Avanyu                     4"w x 3"h               $400.00

Right:         Black-on-Red Oval Bowl w/ Cloud Pattern    3"w x 2.25"h          $250.00

This larger plate by Cavan Gonzales is a beautiful example of both his clay and painting skill.  As a form, many Pueblo potters dislike to create plates, as they break frequently while drying and firing.  Cavan is one of the few who has been making this form most of his career and the shape is not flat, but has just the slightest curve, almost like an open bowl!   This plate is polychrome, which means that is painted with multiple clay slips and mineral pigments.  The design is very tightly painted with a classic bird tail pattern in the center, which is repeated four times.  There is a band of red clay slip closer to the border and then a series of tadpole designs.  Note on the bird tail sections near the center how perfectly he has painted the lines!  The balance of form, design and color works beautifully on this larger piece of his pottery!  Cavan is a great-great grandson of Maria Martinez, and the son of note potter Barbara Gonzales.   Cavan has won numerous awards for his pottery and his pieces can be found in museums around the US.  He is also featured in various books, including The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez. He continues to bring to life the tradition revived by his family over a century ago!

11.5" diameter

$900.00

Juanita Gonzales (1900 - 1989) & Louis "Wo-Peen" Gonzales (1907-1990) - San Ildefonso   

Juanita Gonzales was originally from Taos Pueblo.  She married Louis "Wo-Peen" Gonzales (1907-1990)  who was a son of Juan and Philomena Gonzales and his Tewa name, "Wo-Peen" means Medicine Mountain.  She met him in a hospital after he lost his arm in a hunting accident.  Louis was a  was a gifted artist and attended the San Ildefonso School of painters in the 1920s.  After he lost his right arm in an accident he taught himself to paint again with his left hand.  Juanita learned to make pottery from her sister-in-law, Rose Gonzales (1909-1989).  Rose is credited with beginning the carved pottery style at San Ildefonso in the early 1930's.  The carved pottery by Juanita has a very similar style of carving and imagery as with Rose's work.  While Juanita made the vessels, she also did the carving, while Louis did the painting of any designs.  The bowl on the left is a classic shape with a beautifully carved rain and prayer feather pattern carved around the bowl.  The bowl is a dark black from the firing and very nicely carved with flowing imagery.  The cylinder on the right is a more complicated form with the straight sides and carved imagery of mountains and mesas.  The flow of the design makes a sharper contrast between the matte and polished areas.  Both pieces are in very condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Juanita and Wo-Peen created some exceptional carved and painted pottery and their work can be found in museums nationwide. 

Left:            Jar with Rain Designs            5"w x 4.5"h       $400.00

Right:         Cylinder with Mountains      3.25"w x 4"h    $300.00

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. These two pieces are beautiful examples of her carved style of pottery, which is almost a cameo in appearance as it is not deep and ends on the sharp edge of the jar.  The bowl on the right is highly polished and fired to a near gunmetal appearance.  The design is a cloud and rain design which encircles the bowl.  The area below the shoulder is also fully polished.  The jar on the right is fully polished and again has her classic sharp shoulder.  The design is an open rain and wind pattern which encircles the bowl. There is also an additional cloud pattern painted below the shoulder.  Both pieces are in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Rose's influence continues through today in the pottery of those she taught, including her son, Tse-Pe, her daughter-in-law Dora Tse-Pe and grandnephew Russell Sanchez all to make pottery.  Rose won numerous awards for her pottery during her life at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market.  Classic carved pottery like these by Rose is definitely an exciting and beautiful historic addition to any collection!

Left:           Bowl with Cloud and Rain Designs                 6"w x 4"h            $800.00 - SOLD

Right:        Black Jar with Rain Designs                               6"w x 6"h            $800.00

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

Adam Martinez was a son of renown potter, Maria Martinez.  He worked on pottery with his wife, Santana, who was from the Roybal family who were noted for their paintings.  Santana also painted the designs on Maria's pottery from the 1940's through the 1950's.  On the left is one of their very few redware pieces.  It is not often that we come across redware pottery by Santana & Adam, as the red is always more difficult to paint, polish and fire.  This jar is a classic shape and has a wonderful feather pattern painted around the shoulder.  In the center is a perfectly polished bowl with a low shoulder and a painted design. The imagery is a rain and mountain pattern in which the matte coloration is striking against the highly polished surface.  On the right is an open bowl which is a simple and elegant piece of their pottery. The entire surface of the bowl is polished, both front and back and the signature is signed into the clay on the back of the piece.  It is highly polished and has a metallic feel to the coloration from the firing. Both pieces are from the mid 1970's and are in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Definitely a testament to simple beauty of their pottery forms and polishing skill! 

Left:        Red Jar with Feather Pattern        4.5"w x 4"h            $1200.00 - SOLD

Center:    Bowl with Rain Designs              4"w x 3"h               $800.00      

Right:     Plainware Plate                               8"w x 1.5"h            $975.00

   Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso   

This bowl is a classic style of pottery by Maria Martinez from the early 1920's.  At this time while Maria was making the pottery, her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943) was painting the designs. This bowl is smaller in size, but one of her now classic shapes with  a slight edge to the shoulder and a sloping angle to the mouth.  The bowl has a feather pattern painted around the shoulder with a rain cloud pattern around the rim.  It is always interesting to see these early pieces with such diverse designs which would later become more "standard" with narrow feathers and rectangular ends to the feathers near the mouth.  The bowl is highly polished and very tightly painted.  The bowl is signed on the bottom, "Marie".  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few slight surface abrasions, but over all in very good condition for its age.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

6"w x 4"h

$1400.00

   Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso   

This long neck jar is an elegant shaped early piece of black-on-black pottery by Maria Martinez. The jar was made and polished  by Maria and then painted by her husband,  Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  The jar has a feather pattern around the neck of the piece and in the very earliest works, note how the matte rectangular end to the feather (near the neck) is centered.  It would be later that he would design the feathers with that matte are off to one side.  The long feathers accentuate the low, round shoulder where he has also painted three horizontal lines.  The jar has been fired a dark black with a nearly gunmetal appearance.  It is a beautiful coloration!  The jar is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few light scratches but overall amazing shape for the age.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Marie".  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

6"w x 9.25"h

$3800.00 - SOLD

    Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso  

This large jar is an important example of the early pottery by Maria Martinez from the early 1920'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 which slightly flares at the rim.  It is highly polished which further enhances the delicate lines of the form.  The imagery is unique and reveals how Julian painted to accentuate the shape of the vessel.  There are triangular cloud patterns extending up to the rim while there are more complicated cloud patterns descending down the neck.  The avanyu is very unusual (image 3) with the use of small dots in the horn and the water designs at the bottom of the head.  Note as well the tight, precise lines and reflect that they were painted with a yucca brush!  The jar was traditionally fired and note in the second photo the area near the base where the gunmetal coloration from the heat is apparent.  The jar is signed on the bottom, "Marie".  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few slight surface abrasions, but over all amazing for its age and historically interesting for its design.  Vessels by Maria in this size and from this early time period are 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.

8.5"w x 14.5"h

$14,000.00

   Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   

While Maria and Julian created the black-on-black process around 1919-20, it was not until around 1925 that they mastered the buff on red coloration.  This long neck jar is an early piece of their redware.  The jar is fully polished and the design is a feather pattern encircling the neck. The early red pieces were painted to be either red-on-red, or buff on red.  This jar is buff-on-red in coloration.  Take a closer look at the image above and note how the top of the feathers (near the neck) have the rectangular box in the center of the design.  This would quickly change with the shape being moved over to one side.  It was both aesthetics and also simpler to painted the rectangle against another line than to try and center it between two other lines!  As with most of the early pieces, this jar show the exciting experimentation which was taking place at the time.  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Marie".  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is very unusual to find such a redware piece from such an early period of Maria's pottery 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.

5.5"w x 7"h

$6500.00

Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso   

There is a first time for everything and this is one of the few cylinders we have seen by Maria and Julian.  Technically this is a difficult shape to make when coiling the pottery, as it is hard to keep the walls straight.  The shape is unusual and one wonders if it was inspired by a plant vase or the pre-historic cylinders found at places such as Chaco Canyon.  The entire piece is fully polished with a wonderful shine. The design is a wind pattern which was painted by Maria's husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  It is unusual that this piece has a fully polished base as well as the rim is polished.  The cylinder is signed on the bottom in the clay, ""Marie + Julian".  It is astounding that this piece is in such great condition after over 80 years.  There are no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. There a two areas with rubs on the design, which probably happened when the piece was turned against a shelf.  Undoubtedly this is one of the most fascinating early pieces of Maria's work we have seen for its distinctive form.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

5.5"w x 5.75"h

$3200.00

Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

This bowl is classic round shoulder vessel which is fully polished, even on the bottom. The piece has a wind and rain design which is painted to encircle the entire bowl around the shoulder.  The bowl has been fired to a dark black coloration.  It was made and polished by Maria and painted by her husband, Julian Martinez (1897-1943).  The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay,  "Marie + Julian".  The signature is in the clay on the fully polished base.  The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Smaller bowls with unique and distinctive designs a are always an exciting way to add a piece of Maria's pottery to a collection! For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

5.5"w x 3"h

$1500.00

Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso   NEW

As much as Maria Martinez was known for her pottery, it is the designs of her husband, Julian, which are so distinctive in their early work.  This wonderful bowl is a very detailed piece of their work from the late 1920's.  The bowl was made and polished by Maria and it was painted by Julian.  The design is distinctive for the triangular hatchwork sections which encircle the piece.  This style of hatchwork imagery is often meant to represent a house or home.  The lines are very tightly painted and reflect the precision of his hand.  They are separated by a rain and cloud pattern which would have been an added symbol of prosperity to the house design.  Note how the polished surfaces also create distinctive triangular designs adding to the visual complexity of the bowl!  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 but some expected light surface scratches. Such unique and distinctive designs a are always a testament to the important legacy of Maria's pottery and it's strength within a collection! For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

5"w x 3.5"h

$1500.00

   Maria Martinez (1887 - 1980) - San Ildefonso  

This plate is a simple but beautiful piece of Maria's pottery.  The plate is from the early 1930's and it was made and polished by Maria.  Although there is no design, all of their pieces at this time were signed, "Marie + Julian".  This piece is signed in the clay on the polished back, "Marie + Julian". It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are some variations in the color of the black from the firing.  It is always amazing that pieces that served a possible utilitarian purpose have survived in such good condition.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is certainly the authority on her pottery.

6.25"w x 4.5"h

$1800.00

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

                            Signature "Maria & Santana" 1954-1956

    Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso  NEW

This small bowl is pained with the iconic feather pattern, often used on Maria's pottery. The piece is from the mid-1950's and it was made by Maria Martinez and painted by her daughter-in-law, Santana.  It is signed on the bottom, in the clay, "Maria + Santana".  The bowl is a classic shape for Maria with the sharp shoulder and sloping neck.  The feather pattern is painted from the neck the shoulder of the bowl.  The bowl was fired a dark black in coloration but has a high shine from the stone polished surface. It is in

excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This is a small and striking 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.

4"w x 3.25"h

$1500.00

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso  NEW

The bowl is from the mid-1950's and it was made by Maria Martinez and painted by her daughter-in-law, Santana.  It is signed on the bottom, in the clay, "Maria + Santana".  The bowl is a classic round shape which Maria would often make for her smaller pottery.  The design around the shoulder is a rain and cloud pattern which appears very complicated on this small sized bowl.  The bowl is fired a deep black in coloration which makes a striking contrast with the matte painted areas.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  This is a very traditional style bowl by Maria Martinez, which reflects her continuation of the important pottery legacy at San Ildefonso.  For more information on Maria Martinez, Richard Spivey's book, "The Legacy of Maria Poveka Martinez" is highly recommended.

4.75"w x 3.75"h

$1800.00

                Maria Martinez (1887-1980)

                Signature "Maria Poveka", Circa 1956-1965

Maria Martinez carrying her famous "two water serpent" polychrome jar on her head, postcard

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 and early 1960'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 has a Maria's classic round shape and it is fully polished.  It has been fired a very dark black coloration with a high shine to the surface.  The bowl is in excellent condition with  no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay "Maria Poveka".   This is certainly an elegant 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.

4"w x 3.5"h

$1200.00

Maria Martinez (1887 -  1980) - San Ildefonso   

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 and early 1960'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 has a Maria's classic round shape and it is fully polished.  The surface is very highly polished to what seems like a mirror finish.  The firing has resulted in a near gunmetal appearance over about three-quarters of the bowl.  Some of the gunmetal appearance showed up well in the photograph of the bottom of the bowl. This was something they were trying to achieve and the result is always striking.  The piece is in excellent condition with  no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay "Maria Poveka".   This is certainly an elegant 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.

4.5"w x 3.25"h

$1200.00 - SOLD

   Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso 

This plate is an unusual early piece of work by Maria and Popovi. The plate was made by Maria and then painted by Popovi Da.  It is a bird tail pattern which encompasses the center of the plate.  There are additional cloud and prayer feather pattern which are part of the design.  There is a lot of open space which reveals the polishing and perfect shine on this piece!  It is always amazing how the surface is stone polished to such a glassy appearance.  The plate is from 1956-9 when they signed their work without the firing date. This piece is signed "Maria Popovi" in the clay on the back.  The plate is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Finding a piece by Maria and Popovi with such an unusual design, high shine and in nearly perfect condition, is always exciting and a great 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.

6" diameter

$3000.00

This jar is a classic vessel by Maria Martinez and her son, Popovi Da. Maria made and polished the jar while it was painted by her son, Popovi Da  (1923-1971). The jar is highly polished and has a feather pattern painted around the shoulder.  Typical of Popovi's work the feathers are tightly and evenly painted.  The jar itself has a dark black coloration with a very glassy shine to the surface.  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Maria Popovi 1168". The firing date is when the pottery was made, so this bowl was from November, 1968.  The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Pieces by Maria and Popovi with such a classic design and such a high polished surface are always exciting and a great 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.

3.75"w x 3.5"h

    Maria Martinez (1887-1980) - San Ildefonso 

This jar is a perfect balance of Maria's form and the painted designs of Popovi Da.  This piece is a late example of their pottery and Maria made and polished the bowl while it was painted by her son, Popovi Da  (1923-1971).  The bowl is a wonderful shape with a high round shoulder a beautifully painted design. The imagery is a seed pattern combined with a wind design.  The bowl has been fired to a gunmetal coloration and it is stunning how the surface has a near metallic appearance!  The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Maria Popovi 1270". The firing date is when the pottery was made, so this bowl was from December, 1970.  It was only a year later that Popovi passed away.  The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Finding a smaller piece by Maria and Popovi of such elegance of design, high shine and in nearly perfect condition, is always exciting and a great 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.

4.25"w x 3.25"h

$3600.00 - SOLD

Juanita Pena (1900-1987) - San Ildefonso     

Juanita Pena is a fascinating and somewhat enigmatic figure in San Ildefonso pottery of the 1920's -40's. Her work is found numerous books and a variety of photos of her are found in various archives, yet there is almost no printed information on her life or family.  However, the pottery created by Juanita and her husband Tony was outstanding in both form and design.  They began with black-on-black ware and in the 1930's their work evolved into complex carved designs.  Juanita was related to Martina Vigil Montoya (1856-1916) & Florentino Montoya (1858-1918) (who were known for their polychrome pottery).  Tony was related to Encarnacion Pena (Soqueen), who was famous as a traditional style painter and part of the San Ildefonso school of painters.  They continued to make pottery into the 1950's, but then they stopped as they both were very involved in religious and Kiva activities at the Pueblo which required full time participation.  It is probably that none of their descendants continued to make pottery which has placed them in a degree of obscurity. However, this should definitely not be a reflection on the quality of the pottery. These two pieces are fascinating examples of Juanita's work.  The small plate on the left is polished and has a rain cloud pattern with a pray feather design in center.  However, note the addition small rain clouds in the upper left and right.  Amazingly complicated in design for such a small piece.  The bowl on the right has a very high polish and there is a prayer feather pattern which flows into a rain and mountain design.  The bowl is painted above the shoulder and fully polished below.  Both pieces are in very good condition with no cracks, restoration or repair. The bowl has a small chip on the inside of the lip (in the photo of the top view it can be seen at about 3 o'clock).   Truly some exceptional early pottery with innovative designs, great condition and a wonderful history.  For more information on Juanita and Early San Ildefonso pottery, click here.

Left:        Plate with Rain Cloud Designs                            4" diameter             $175.00 - SOLD

Right:     Bowl with Prayer Feather & Rain Designs        6.5"w x 4"h              $300.00

Juanita Pena (1900-1987) - San Ildefonso     

Juanita Pena is a fascinating and somewhat enigmatic figure in San Ildefonso pottery of the 1920's -40's. Her work is found numerous books and a variety of photos of her are found in various archives, yet there is almost no printed information on her life or family.  However, the pottery created by Juanita and her husband Tony was outstanding in both form and design.  They began with black-on-black ware and in the 1930's their work evolved into complex carved designs.  Juanita was related to Martina Vigil Montoya (1856-1916) & Florentino Montoya (1858-1918) (who were known for their polychrome pottery).  Tony was related to Encarnacion Pena (Soqueen), who was famous as a traditional style painter and part of the San Ildefonso school of painters.  They continued to make pottery into the 1950's, but then they stopped as they both were very involved in religious and Kiva activities at the Pueblo which required full time participation.  It is probably that none of their descendants continued to make pottery which has placed them in a degree of obscurity. However, this should definitely not be a reflection on the quality of the pottery. This carved water jar is a stunning piece of their pottery.  Their style of carving is unique and very distinctive, as are the water serpents and the shapes of the horns and the triangular eyes.  Note that there are two avanyu encircling the bowl and that each one has a different style of mouth!  One is carved and the other is painted with teeth.  Extending down from the neck is a rain pattern above the avanyus and separating them is a longer kiva step design pattern. The base of the jar is matte in contrast to the polished surfaces.  This jar is in very good condition with no cracks, restoration or repair. Truly an exceptional jar with innovative designs, great condition and a wonderful history.  For more information on Juanita and Early San Ildefonso pottery, click here.

6.25"w x 8.5"h            

$650.00

Tonita Roybal (1892 - 1945) - San Ildefonso     

Tonita Roybal was one of the early innovators at San Ildefonso in the 1920's.  Already an accomplished potter by 1920 she took to the black-on-black style quickly. She married Juan Cruz Roybal (1896-1990) and after 1930 he painted most of her pottery.  Tonita was amazingly versatile in the variety of shapes she created.  However, there are some consistencies in her shapes, like this jar with a low, wide shoulder and a sloping angle to the rim. This provided more space for design (and a worse angle for modern photography!).  The jar has prayer feather design painted above the shoulder, which can be seen in the first image above. As the jar is turned there is a cloud and rain design with the rain ending in a seed pattern!  The jar is beautifully polished and the painting is perfect to match the shape of the jar.  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Tonita" indicating it is probably from the late 1920's.  This piece  is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  There are a few light surface abrasions which are not unexpected on a piece this age.  It is definitely a wonderful part of the story of San Ildefonso pottery in the 1920's and 30's.  For more information on Tonita and Early San Ildefonso pottery, click here.

7"w x 6"h         

$1200.00

   Tonita Roybal (1892 - 1945) - San Ildefonso     

This is a beautifully painted bowl by Tonita Roybal.  She was one of the  early pioneers in reviving San Ildefonso pottery and early on was part of the "black-on-black" revolution in San Ildefonso pottery.  Her pottery is among the most diverse of the time in both shape and design.  The commonality to the designs is the use of "negative space" in the design area, letting the polished sections show through with the design.  This bowl has a low, round shoulder with the designs painted up towards the rim.  There is a plant design followed by a shawl and prayer feather pattern, as the bowl is turned.  It is highly polished and it is the high shine which makes the matte painted areas so dramatic.   The firing coloration ranges from gunmetal to a dark black.   It is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Tonita + Juan" signifying that it is from the 1930's.  The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. There are some light surface abrasions and two dings on the inside of the lip. It is a beautiful blend of history and creativity in San Ildefonso pottery!  For more information on Tonita and Early San Ildefonso pottery, click here.

5.25"w x 4"h

$800.00

   Tonita Roybal (1892 - 1945) - San Ildefonso     

This is a breathtaking gunmetal colored bowl by Tonita Roybal.  She was one of the  early pioneers in reviving San Ildefonso pottery and early on was part of the "black-on-black" revolution in San Ildefonso pottery.  She learned to make pottery from her mother, Dominguita Pino and even before the advent of black-on-black pottery she had a reputation for her black-on-red pottery.  This jar has a beautifully painted design around the neck and shoulder.  What is impossible to see in the photos is that there is a slight sharp shoulder leading up to the neck which can be felt.  It is here that the painting begins with a rain and cloud pattern.  Below the shoulder is a single band of rain designs.  The design draws the eye to the shape of the jar and the elegance of the form.  However, it is the firing which is so dramatic.  The jar has a very silver appearance!  This is an early version of the "gunmetal" firing where the very high temperature of the firing resulted in the coloration.  It is a great coloration but impossible to create a consistency in the results, as it was a matter of heat and placement and timing which would vary with each firing.  Few pieces have such a silver colored finish!  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, "Tonita", which dates the jar prior to 1930, when she began to sign them with her husband Juan.  This jar by Tonita is testament to her skill as a potter and her creativity as a painter of complex designs.   Even during her short lifetime Tonita was recognized as a significant potter with even Maria saying of her work in 1922 at the first Indian Market, "this is Tonita's - she makes the best pottery of all, I think".  She attended many of the worlds fairs in even in the first Indian Market in 1922 she stood out winning a special award for her large black-on-black pottery. This jar is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is a beautiful blend of history and creativity in San Ildefonso pottery!  For more information on Tonita and Early San Ildefonso pottery, click here.

6.5"w x 6.25"h

$1950.00 - SOLD

      Russell Sanchez - San Ildefonso    

Russell Sanchez continues to be one of the true innovators in Pueblo pottery.  Each piece is perfectly coil built, stone polished and etched.  These two new pieces are reflective of the continual evolution of his pottery. The jar on the left has an asymmetrical shape and has birds carved into the surface, but note how the edges are rounded!  This is much more difficult to achieve this effect and polish to the edge of the carving.  Note as well how the beaks are a micaceous black clay while the heads and bodies are all different colors of clay! Technically this is very difficult to create and have such even delineation between the slips.  The plants below the birds are another layer of incised designs and the geometric patterns around birds are carved into the clay with the more traditional angular edge.  Each of the birds has an inset piece of turquoise in the body and one for the eye.  There are two bands of hei-shi beads around the base of the bowl.  The bowl on the right has a circular medallion incised fish which has been polished with a green slip.  The fish has been surrounded with two bands of hei-shi beads and the remainder of the bowl is fully polished.  On the opposite side there is a lizard incised into the clay and highlighted with a black micaceous clay slip.  Note the dots around the head of the lizard which are meant to represent sand.  The rim of the bowl has been serrated with a saw tooth pattern. This is a new technique that Russell has been adding to his recent work. The hei-shi beads used in Russell's pottery are all handmade by the Calabaza family of Santo Domingo pueblo.  Russell's pottery can be found in numerous museums, including the Heard Museum and the Denver Art Museum.  He has won "Best of Pottery" at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Indian Markets.  Russell was also featured in the Fall 2007 issue of Native People's Magazine and won "Best of Pottery" at the 2009 Heard Indian Market and Best of Pottery at the 2013 Heard Indian Market!

Left:        Asymmetrical Jar with Multi-layer birds         3.75"w x 4"h    $4800.00

Right:     Bowl with Fish Medallion & Lizard                3"w x 3"h          $3200.00

Russell Sanchez - San Ildefonso    

Few potters have the artistic ability combined with the technical expertise to create pottery of such extraordinary beauty. Russell is one of the few potters who has created fetish animals in clay with his own unique style.  On the left is one of his Mountain Lions which is distinguished by the tail up on the back. Russell carves the legs at very sharp angles and this figure he has made so the head is slightly turned.  The front section is polished red with a black micaceous clay slip while the back is a highly polished green clay.  There are three bands of hei-shi beads in the center of the body and a single inset piece of turquoise on the back side.  In the center is a larger bear which has been highly polished and fired a dark red.  The bear is a beautiful shape with a carved angle to the legs and a round body.  The inside area of the legs has a black micaceous clay slip.  The back of the bear is inset with two pieces of high grade Kingman turquoise and five strands of hei-shi beads.  There is an incised heartline on each side of the bear.  The bear is a symbol of strength and the heartline is a traditional image used to symbolize the heart as the center of power in the animal.  The bear is hollow as the piece is coil built. On the right is a highly polished smaller bear with its head turned.  The bear has turquoise inset eyes and three bands of hei-shi beads on its back. There is a small incised bear paw on the shoulder of the bear which is inset with turquoise.  The hei-shi beads are made from shell and turquoise and made by the Calabazas of Santo Domingo pueblo.  All three pieces are a wonderful reflection of how Russell's pottery is complex in form and design yet elegant in their overall appearance.  Russell's pottery can be found in numerous museums, including the Heard Museum and the Denver Art Museum.  He has won "Best of Pottery" at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Indian Markets.    Russell was also featured in the Fall 2007 issue of Native People's Magazine and on the front cover of "Southwest Art Magazine".

Left:             Mountain Lion with Hei-shi & Turquoise                         3" long                                    $1500.00

Center:        Red Bear with Turquoise and Heartline                            4" long x 2.25"h                     $3200.00

Right:          Bear with Heartline & Bear Paw                                           2.5" long                                $1500.00 - SOLD

Russell Sanchez - San Ildefonso    

Over the past several decades Russell Sanchez has created a distinctive style of pottery with exceptional forms, polish design and delicately inset stones and hei-shi beads.  This jar was made in 2000 and it is one of his early "circles pots".  The idea for this style originally came from some early 1900's San Ildefonso black-on-red pottery with circles designs.  On this piece the circles are all below the shoulder.  Above the shoulder there is a perfectly incised water serpent as the design and single inset square piece of turquoise. The bear lid is also a micaceous slip.  It is interesting that the mica on this piece has less of a coppery color and it has been rag polished so it almost looks like metal!  This jar is in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Russell's pottery can be found in numerous museums, including the Heard Museum and the Denver Art Museum.  He has won "Best of Pottery" at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Indian Markets.  Russell was also featured in the Fall 2007 issue of Native People's Magazine and on the front cover of "Southwest Art Magazine".

9"w x 9"h (w/ lid)              

$5000.00

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

Tse-Pe Gonzales was a son of noted potter Rose Gonzales.  She taught both he and his wife, Dora Tse-Pe, to make pottery.  They were also innovators for their time, and were featured in 1976 in the pivotal book, "7 Families in Pueblo Pottery".  Here are two striking pieces of his pottery.  The bowl on the left is an early piece of his black-and-sienna pottery.  It was polished and fired black and then re-heated on the rim to create the sienna coloration.  The bowl is incised with an avanyu and there is a single inset shell bead for the eye.   The jar on the right has a micaceous clay slip for the body of the piece.  The medallion on the front is fully polished with a green clay slip around the border and a red clay slip for the fish.  The fish is interesting as it is made up of traditional San Ildefonso imagery.  There is a single shell bead which has been placed in the eye of the fish.  Both pieces are signed on the bottom with his TP hallmark.   Both are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.   Tse-Pe remains one of the fascinating innovators and potters from San Ildefonso, having created such a variety of work during his lifetime. 

Left:            Black & Sienna Bowl w/ Avanyu & shell            2.5"w x 2"h             $550.00

Right:         Jar with incised fish and shell eye                        3"w x 4"h                 $650.00

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

Tse-Pe Gonzales is a son of noted potter Rose Gonzales.  She taught both he and his wife, Dora Tse-Pe, to make pottery.  They were innovators for their time and were featured in 1976 in the pivotal book, "7 Families in Pueblo Pottery".  Here are two distinctive pieces of their pottery.  On the left is a jar from 1973 which is was made by Dora and incised by Tse-Pe. There is a single avanyu encircling the jar with an inset piece of turquoise.  The jar is nearly gunmetal in coloration which can best be seen in the contrast near the neck of the gunmetal, black and then sienna colored rim.  The bowl on the right is a "terrace" or "kiva" bowl. The name is derived from the terraced shape of the rim which is meant to represent a mesa or mountain form.  The bowl does not have any design but is beautifully constructed, highly polished and a dark black. It was made in 1978. Both pieces are signed on the bottom in the clay "Tse-Pe and Dora".    Both are in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.   Tse-Pe and Dora worked individually from the 1980-2000, but their early collaborative work remains innovative, creative and of the highest quality even compared to many of today's potters.  They created an amazing legacy in clay!

Left:            Black & Sienna Jar with Avanyu & Turquoise         4.25"w x 4.5"h        $1000.00

Right:         Fully Polished Terrace Bowl with Carved Rim         8"w x 6"h                $1500.00