Collecting American Pueblo Pottery

It is interesting how pieces move from one country to another. In the 1950's the owner of a successful department store in Edmonton, Alberta was sent this plate as a sample of the artist's wares in the hopes that he might include them in the store's inventory. Unfortunately he declined (unfortunate for collectors today). However he did keep the plate and for years it languished in a cupboard. It is now for sale. Research indicates that the large versions of this plate (12 1/4 ") may sell for anywhere from $10,000 - $14,000 US. Here is some information in an on line article I found:

Marie and Santana Plate 1954 - 1956

At the turn of the century, San Ildefonso pueblo potters Maria Martinez and her husband, Julian, rediscovered the process of making black pottery.

Maria's legacy continues in the work of Adam and Santana (her son and daughter-in-law), Anita Martinez (her granddaughter), Barbara Gonzales (her great granddaughter), Robert Gonzales (Barbara's husband) and their four sons Cavan Gonzales, Aaron Gonzalez, Brandan Gonzales and Derek Gonzales (her great great grandsons). They are known for their traditional black on black pottery with "well formed shapes, careful finishes and skillful designing techniques."

Maria Martinez is the most famous indian artist. Maria was born sometime around 1889 at San Ildefonso pueblo, New Mexico and lived until 1980. She became a legend in her own lifetime for her magnificent burnished black pottery. She made beautiful pots in styles including polychrome, black on read and black on black. She is known for her especially fine polish of the black pots, a style that she was responsible for reviving.

The designs, however, were not usually painted by Maria but first done by her artist husband Julian, then by her daughter-in-law Santana and later by her son Popovi. The famous feather design and the pueblo water serpent were first adapted by Julian as a pottery design element. These two designs have become synonymous with pueblo pottery and are used today by many pueblo potters.

During Maria's long pottery career she used many different signatures: Marie, Marie & Julian, Marie & Santana, Maria & Popovi and Maria Poveka (various spellings). Maria began signing her pottery in 1923 "Marie", a name that was suggested to be more familiar to her buying public. "Marie & Julian" began appearing around 1925 and continued until Julian's death in 1943. Working with her daughter-in-law Santana, she signed her pots "Marie & Santana" from 1954-1956. In 1956 she began working with her son, Popovi and those pieces were signed "Maria & Popovi". The signature "Maria Poveka" was used on undecorated pieces. These are all approximate dates and some exceptions do exist.

For more information click here:

http://acad.udallas.edu/artdept/nceca98/5generations/pueblo.htm

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