San Ildefonso Pueblo Polished Black Jar with Holes [SOLD]

Barbara Gonzales is an excellent potter and an extension of her famous great-grandmother, Maria Martinez, and her grandparents, Adam and Santana Martinez. Her mother, Anita, was also a potter. Drawing on the traditions of her family, she expanded this tradition by personalizing her pottery with inlaid coral and turquoise on etched black and sienna wares, often inlaid on spider designs which she created in 1973.

This black jar with holes in the wall is dated 1972 when she was 25 years old.  It could be the end of one style of pottery before starting the spider designs the following year.  Why the holes?  In Barbara's words "In 1972, I began working on the black and red style and was influenced by Popovi Da's and Tony Da's work."  Perhaps the jar with holes in the wall was her way to be creative like Popovi and Tony and yet not copy their work.

Condition: in original condition

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust

Recommended Reading:  Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf