San Ildefonso Pueblo Miniature Blackware Oven "Horno" Pottery By Maria + Santana

ca. 1960-1965
Size 3.75" H x 4.5" L x 2.75" W
Hand-Coiling Clay, Smoothing with Gourd Scrapers, Applying an Iron-Bearing Slip, Burnishing to a High Sheen, and Firing in a Smothered Pit Kiln with Dry Horse Dung to Achieve the Black Finish.
Excellent Condition
Miniature blackware oven "horno" pottery by Maria Martinez and Santana Martinez is a rare and highly collectible form of San Ildefonso Pueblo pottery. Maria Martinez (1887–1980), a renowned Native American potter, and her daughter-in-law Santana Martinez (1909–2002) collaborated on black-on-black pottery from 1943 to 1956, signed "Marie + Santana" or "Maria + Santana." These pieces are celebrated for their glossy black finish, achieved through a meticulous fire reduction process, and traditional designs rooted in Pueblo heritage.
The "horno" pottery, shaped like traditional Pueblo bread ovens, is a miniature representation of the outdoor ovens used for baking. These pieces are exceptionally scarce, as Maria and Santana primarily produced vessels like jars, bowls, and plates. The horno shape is a nod to cultural practices, showcasing Maria’s skill in hand-coiling clay and Santana’s painted designs, often featuring simple yet striking geometric or symbolic motifs, such as feathers or the avanyu (horned water serpent).