22-0666 San Ildefonso Feather Pottery by Marie and Santana
ca 1943-1956
Size: 3" x 3 3/4"
From a Private Colorado Collection
Excellent Condition
Maria Montoya Martinez is recognized the world over as a matriarch of Native American pottery. As a young girl. she would watch her aunt Nicolassa make pottery and was encouraged to try various techniques and styles. As a teenager, she would spend time at Santa Clara pueblo with her friend, Sara Fina Tafoya, where she was surrounded by potters.
In 1904 she married Julian Martinez, a painter who was one of the first Rio Grande artists. That year, they demonstrated pottery making at the St. Louis Worlds' Fair, where they sold their pots for $1 a piece. About 1912, she learned to make plain black pottery and in about 1919 Julian invented the black-on-black decoration which he taught to the other San Ildefonso potters beginning in 1921. Maria would form the pots and Julian would paint the designs.
After Julian died in 1943. Between 1943 and 1956 Maria worked with her daughter-in-law. Santana. Maria Martinez continued to live in New Mexico at the San Ildefonso pueblo until her death. Santana Roybal Martinez was Maria's daughter-in-law, the wife of Adam Martinez.