c. 1948–49
(San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1887–1980)
(San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1909–2002)
Earthenware
Diameter: 23.1 cm (9 1/8 in.)
Gift in memory of Dr. Henry L. Tapp by his family, MaryLou, Carl, and Richard Tapp 1999.191
Maria Martinez was one of the most distinguished Native American potters of the Southwest who worked at the San Ildefonso Pueblo in the first half of the 20th century. Firing in a reducing (low oxygen) atmosphere produces the black-on-black effect seen on this bowl. Maria Martinez and her husband Julián invented the black-on-black decoration technique around 1920; it was then adopted by many other potters at their pueblo.
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