dec 29, 1965 - Black on black ceramic vessel

Description:

Mid-20th century CE
Blackware ceramic
Maria Martinez and Julian Martinez
Tewa, Puebloan, San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico
Modern method - potter’s wheel
Before railroad (1880s), pots were used for food storage, cooking and ceremonies
Maria began selling her pots to non-natives for art and non-utilitarian
Learned from her aunt and other potters from surrounding pueblos.
Process:
Clay found locally
Made stronger by tempering
Shaped by hand olla or plate
Dried, sanded, smoothed
Covered in slip and polished smooth
Painted designs using iron-rich solution
High temperature firing
Smothering fire resulted in a black pot
Communal activity
Many helping with the painting, polishing the slip and decorating
Maria was in charge of the shaping

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