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Bowl
Maria & Santana Martinez (San Ildefonso), c. 1945
Reduction fired ceramic, slip
Eiteljorg Museum.Formerly in the collection of the Museum of Indian Heritage.87.29.16
Martinez Family Traditions
Maria Martinez continued a long-standing Pueblo tradition of making pottery
at San Ildefonso.In addition to researching ancient techniques, she and
her husband re-invented a way to have glossy black designs on the traditionally-made
black pottery.
She also inspired her family (see their work above) and her pueblo to
continue this tradition.
"Teaching" Pottery
No one taught Maria how to make pottery; she learned by watching: I
used to go to visit my aunt and watch. My mother said, "Don't stay long;
your aunt may get tired.' But I stayed until it was time to go home for
supper. . Nobody teaches. In 1932, someone took me to a government Indian
school in Santa Fe and told me to teach. I said, "No, I come and I work,
and they can watch."
Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso), 1977
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