San Ildefonso Pueblo Black Pottery Bowl By Lupita Martinez

Late 20th Century

2.625" H x 4.625" D

Hand Coiled from Black on Black Clay with a Glossy Finish and a Zigzag Scalloped Matte Design Along the Outer Lower Rim

In Very Good Condition

Lupita Vigil Martinez (1918–2006 or 2011, sources vary slightly), a renowned Native American potter from San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico. Lupita was a relative of the legendary potter Maria Martinez (through marriage—her husband Anselmo was the nephew of Maria's husband Julian). She learned the craft during the mid-20th century revival of the famous black-on-black technique, which Maria and Julian popularized. This involves hand-coiling the clay, polishing it to a high sheen with stones, decorating with slip (often matte black on polished black), and firing in a reducing atmosphere to achieve the deep, lustrous black finish.

Lupita was especially known for her collectible black-on-black bowls, jars, and bird figurines. Her pieces often feature classic geometric designs, bear claws, kiva steps, feathers, or simple polished forms with subtle patterns. They are highly sought after by collectors of Southwestern Native American pottery.