Tony Da Black and Sienna Large Shallow Bowl [R]

Tony Da is best known for his elaborate pottery creations with turquoise, silver, hieshe and other embellishments but there was a period when he created absolutely beautiful under-stated pottery.  This black bowl with a sienna rim and a pair of matte framing lines is a most elegant piece of art.  The contrast between the highly-polished black center section, softened by a sienna edge, was an ingenious idea of his.  The temptation might have been to place a sgraffito design in the center of the bowl but Tony refrained from doing so, demonstrating his unique talent for design.  The inner edge of the sienna is framed by a sgraffito framing line placed adjacent to the pair of matte black framing lines at the edge of the black.

Tony, from San Ildefonso Pueblo, was destined to become one of the finest artists of the 20th century. His grandparents, Maria and Julian Martinez, and his father, Popovi Da, were skilled artists. Tony was a painter from early in life, and was winning awards for his paintings. A change occurred when he moved in with his grandmother in 1966. She taught him the techniques of pottery making and he learned very well. Within three years, Maria said he had nothing else to learn from her.  One would expect Tony to produce pottery in the traditional style taught him by Maria but he was too creative to do so.  He followed his own ideas and became a world-famous potter by doing so.

Tony only had a 12- or 13-year career as a potter before his devastating motorcycle accident in 1972, an accident that ended his pottery career.  In that dozen years, he created many masterpieces and received world recognition.  Very few artists can claim such fame in a dozen years.

This simple black and sienna bowl well illustrates how great an artist he was and to what extent he could produce a masterpiece of simple elegance.

Condition: original condition:

Provenance: ex. coll. Bill and Jane Buchsbaum, Santa Fe

                    Current collection of a gentleman from Scottsdale, AZ

Recommended Reading: The Life and Art of Tony Da by Charles S. King