San Ildefonso Pueblo Small Jar Pottery By Maria Poveka

ca. 1956 - 1965

3.125" H x 4.25" D

Hand Coiled Plain Gunmetal Blackware Pot 31 (was 1 of 3 trio IT Po31ABC)

In Very Good Condition

From the Peterlin Collection, Phoenix, AZ

Maria Poveka (Maria Montoya Martinez, 1887–1980) was a legendary Tewa potter from San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico. She is one of the most renowned Native American artists of the 20th century, famous for reviving and innovating traditional Pueblo pottery techniques, especially the iconic black-on-black (and plain polished black) style.

Her Tewa name, Poveka (often translated as "Pond Lily" or "Water Lily"), appears on many of her later pieces. She collaborated with her husband Julian Martinez (who painted designs), later with her daughter-in-law Santana, and then her son Popovi Da. Maria formed the pots by hand-coiling, while others often handled painting or firing. Her work features exceptionally thin walls, elegant shapes, and a high polish achieved with stones, followed by outdoor firing that produces the deep black finish.