Object number1990.25.2

Black-on-Black Bowl

Date1934-1936

Artist Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1887 - 1980)

Artist Julian Martinez (San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1879 - 1943)

CultureSan Ildefonso Pueblo

MediumClay

DimensionsOverall: 4 1/4 x 4 5/16 x 7 in. (10.8 x 11 x 17.8 cm)

Credit LineGift of Roberta Brown Rauch, class of 1932

On View

Not on view

Period20th c

Classification(s)

Decorative Art

SignedOn bottom, incised signature: MARIE + JULIAN

Vassar Exhibitions

For Maria: Rose B. Simpson and Pueblo Pottery

Label TextMaria Martinez revolutionized Pueblo pottery alongside her family, reviving traditional pottery styles and pioneering the creation of black-on-black ceramic ware in the early 20th century. While traditional Pueblo pottery was once communal and utilitarian, railroad expansion and mass-produced goods nearly erased these practices. Working with her husband, Julian, and later her son, Popovi Da, and sister-in-law, Santana, Martinez developed pottery of striking distinction, with polished and darkly reflective surfaces and abstract geometric motifs that captivated collectors and tourists alike. The pottery was no longer utilized exclusively for cooking or storage. Their transformation, from functional to prized art objects, reflected the growing influence of museums and markets eager to define Indigenous expression on their own terms. The legacy of Martinez’s pottery is teeming with energy, a process shaped by careful hands working wet clay into forms that preserve a part of the history of the Pueblo peoples. Martinez worked guided by a combination of cultural continuity and experimentation rather than the desire for prestige.

DescriptionA black bowl polished to a metallic-like shine.

Terms

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu