San Ildefonso Small Dish with Feather Design signed Maria & Santana

Maria Martinez had assistance from family members throughout her career. Her husband Julian collaborated with her until his death in 1943. At that time, Maria's daughter-in-law Santana (Adam's wife) began assisting Maria by decorating her pottery like Julian had done. Their collaboration continued until 1956. During that time, their collaborative pottery was first signed as Marie & Santana, but during the last two years of their relationship, it was signed Maria & Santana. This small dish has the latter signature, an indication that it was made in 1954-1956. This change from Marie to Maria was likely because of the publication by Alice Marriott of Maria: the Potter of San Ildefonso.

This small blackware pottery dish was made with the same attention to detail as any of their collaborative works that were monumental in size. Maria Martinez and her family never slacked off to make pottery rapidly. The burnishing, possibly by Clara, and the painted design by Santana are as fine as any other works by this family.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this San Ildefonso Small Dish with Feather Design signed Maria & Santana is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading: Marriott, Alice. Maria: The Potter of San Ildefonso. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, 1948

TAGS: Julian Martinez, Mimbres, Maria, pottery, Santana, Southwest Indian Pottery, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery