Description

Absolutely beautiful olla with suburb designs of rain, clouds and mountains around the neck of the jar. Each set of designs is repeated four times representing the four directions. Around the upper body is a wonderfully undulating Avanyu which encircles the entire jar. This piece is in wonderful condition, with very small minor abrasions occurring through handling and time which is very appropriate for the age of this magnificent piece of pottery.. Marie and Julian are credited with introducing the key techniques and designs for blackware pottery. After Maria and Julian discovered in 1918 how to produce the now-famous black-on-black pottery technique and they spent the remainder of their careers perfecting and producing pottery for museums and collectors worldwide in this one of a kind style. This style of blackware, or black-on-black pottery, is achieved by using a polishing stone to smooth over a glossy finish prior to the firing of the pot creating a high gloss design that has become the hallmark of pueblo pottery. Initially, Julian’s name was omitted from the signature since making pottery was considered women’s work. From 1925 until Julian’s death in 1943, Maria shared the signature with Julian and signed her name along with his name as “Marie + Julian”. Maria Martinez is of the circle of other great pueblo potters such as Margaret Tafoya, Sefarina Tafoya, Rose Gonzales, Teresita Naranjo.

Condition: Excellent – original condition with only very small abrasions appropriate of age.
Provenance: Acquired from a private collector in Oklahoma.