San Ildefonso Pottery
San Ildefonso Pueblo is located in north-central New Mexico, and has produced some of the most famous and innovative hand-coiled potters in North America.
Maria and Julian Martinez, their descendants Santana, Adam, Popovi and Tony Da; Blue Corn and Rose Gonzales are well-known innovators in the pottery world. Maria and Julian developed the art of firing to make the first matte black design on polished jet black pottery. Blue Corn is primarily known for her earth-colored highly-polished slips. Rose Gonzales made the first modern carved pottery with distinctive rounded edges. Toh-Atin is privileged to carry pieces by these exceptional artists.
For more information and pottery by Maria Martinez, click here . |  | |
The pot was purchased by Byron Jones of Albuquerque, from Maria in the late 1960’s near the end of her active potting career. In 1968, Byron’s father, Byron B. Jones, who was a writer and photographer for magazines like Southwest Art, visited Maria and took photos of her working. Please call for more information about sizes of photos and the book.
The burnished high shine of this pot is wonderful. Using a slip, the artist has created a traditional design of feathers, wind and mesas. This pot stands 4 inches tall by 4 1/2 in inches wide.
Maria Martinez, 1887 - 1980, from San Ildefonso Pueblo, is one of the most famous Native American potters. Featured item- Maria early small pot in excellent condition.
Teresita Naranjo was active from 1919-1999 and is one of the top potters of Santa Clara Pueblo. She was renown for her deep carved pottery and this is a fine example of the Avanyu water serpent design.
Maria Martinez and her daughter in law Santana Martinez did some collaborative pottery, from the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Featured is a fine example of polished and slip designed work by these two famous women. Measuring 7 1/2 inches in diameter and 6 1/2 inches tall.
This large plate made by Carmelita Dunlap measures 14" across the diameter. It features intricate feather designs as well as geometric designs. The cut away patterns on the top of this plate make for a very difficult piece to create, and a very intricate and interesting piece of art work for any collector to admire.
A lovely little perfect pot made by Maria between 1956 and 1959, when she made pottery by herself with no designs and signed her pieces Maria Poveka.
Cynthia is the daughter of "master" potter, Carmelita Dunlap. Cynthia's innovation is the brown-on-brown pottery shown here.
This is one of two pots that were made by master potter Carmelita Dunlap in the year 2000, just before she passed away. Carmelita was the daughter of Juanita and Romando Vigil. Her mother passed away when she was young, and she was raised by her aunts, Maria Martinez and Desideria. She has won several awards at the Indian Market, Santa Fe, and was chosen to exhibit in Seven Families in Pueblo Pottery at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology. She is among the finest of the San Ildefonso potters.
This is one of two pots that were made by master potter Carmelita Dunlap in the year 2000, just before she passed away. Carmelita was the daughter of Juanita and Romando Vigil. Her mother passed away when she was young, and she was raised by her aunts, Maria Martinez and Desideria. She has won several awards at the Indian Market, Santa Fe, and was chosen to exhibit in Seven Families in Pueblo Pottery at the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology. She is among the finest of the San Ildefonso potters.
