Special Offer: San Ildefonso Black-on-black Plate Signed Santana & Adam [SOLD]

Special Offer:  The consignor of this plate has authorized us to reduce the price from $5500 to $4500.

It has been stated that Julian Martinez explained the symbolism of the Avanyu (water serpent) that he frequently painted on pottery as representing the flow of water down the acequia to the fields.  It is therefore a very important symbol for farmers in the dry Southwest.  The Avanyu has continued to be used by family members of Maria and Julian.

Maria’s oldest son, Adam (1903-2000), and his wife, Santana (1909-2002), have been recognized as significant potters in their own right—even though they are mostly associated with having helped Maria with her pottery. Santana painted designs on pottery and Adam assisted in firing pottery for Maria. Santana and Adam worked together as early as the mid-1950s producing pottery with their signatures.

Santana came from a very talented family of artists. Her brother was Awa Tsireh, certainly one of the most famous of all pueblo artists. Her mother, Alfonsita Martinez Roybal, was an accomplished potter. It goes on through uncles and aunts who were major influences on art in the pueblo. It is no wonder, then, that Santana was influenced as a young woman growing up in such talented surroundings.

It apparently was in 1956 that Santana began producing pottery on her own. Before that, she had assisted Maria with hers. At first, Santana signed only her name, but shortly added Adam as a co-signature. It was after someone told Santana that they had seen some black pottery at Santo Domingo Pueblo signed Santana that she then started adding Adam’s name to distinguish their pottery from others.  The two continued working together throughout the remainder of their lives.

This remarkable plate produced by Santana and Adam is as flawless as handmade pottery ever could be and absolutely beautiful.  A tape on the back of the plate identifies it as having been made in 1966 and priced at $40.  It is just as beautiful today as it was 45 years ago when first made.