Maria : The Potter of San Ildefonso

by Alice Marriott

Marí The Potter of San Ildefonso is the story of María Martínez and her husband, Julián, who revived the ancient Pueblo craft of pottery-making and stimulated interest in Southwestern Pueblo pottery among both white people and Indians.

María Montoya Martínez, or Marie, as she sometimes signs her pottery, is a woman who has become in her own lifetime a legend. She lives in the pueblo of San Ildefonso, near Santa Fé, New Mexico, and although her life has been, as closely as she could make it, the normal life of a woman of her culture, her unusual qualities have set her apart and gained her fame throughout the world.

Through her mastery of pottery-making, María brought economic gain to her family and her village. However, distressing problems accompanied success and fame. Liquor ultimately wrecked Julían. There was dissension within the pueblo. And there was the succession of admiring white people who invaded her home and interrupted her work. Not least, in María view, was the departure of her own children from many Pueblo customs.

Inextricably woven into the story of María is the story of the pottery of the Southwestern Pueblos, a native craft that has become a national art interest, including the development of the unique black-on-black ware by Julián, the first of which is reproduced among the illustrations.

Margaret Lefranc’s many accurate drawings of actual pieces of pottery provide an almost complete documentary history of the craft and show some of the finest examples of María’s art. Her skilled pen has also interpreted faithfully the spirit of María, the Pueblo Indians, and the pottery.

Genres: Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published April 1, 1948

Reviews

[Ka · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was a child living in Los Alamos, we visited San Ildefonso Pueblo. At that point in my life, the only thing that interested me was a book, any book. If my nose wasn't buried in a book, I insisted on being bored. What a wonderful experience I pretty much threw away. My parents shopped in the very room described in María: The Potter of San Ildefonso. In fact, I remember some of the ladies we were with asking questions of the "man" and "woman" working in the shop. I recall seeing rows of black and red pottery lined up on the shelves. I also recall being too cool to pay much attention to the details, which I now wish I could more clearly bring to mind. Of course, that man and woman were Julian and María! How I wish I could relive those moments since their work fascinates the adult me.

Alice Marriott's lovely tome is a tribute to María and Julian. In spite of his wrangling with the ill effects of alcohol, Julian greatly contributed to the design of María's handiwork, and together, they created an intense interest in the native way of producing amazingly beautiful pottery. Marriott tells the tale of the creation from María's viewpoint, and nothing is lost in the transcription process as Marriott brings María's life to the page.

One can easily visualize the Pueblo from the time of María's early childhood up until the day she becomes a widow. Unlike most of the others in the tribe, María and Julian travel as they educate the White world on the intricacies of Native life. Encouraged by particular events and authoritative men in their circle, the couple experimented with a craft as old as the Americas. The fire for creating pottery had been ignited in María by her Tia Nicolas. When she and Julian participated in an archeological dig that uncovered Anasazi sherds, that fire raged, and they brought the craft to the attention of the world.

Marriott treats their story with dignity. She allows María's voice to come through in every aspect of the narrative. From the simplicity of childhood tales to the complexity of a woman who is struggling to cope with a husband's illness and give her children a good life, Marriott never loses sight that the story is María's to tell. While allowing the pain of difficulty and the joy of successes to show in María's own words, Marriott brings readers along every step of the way. And it is a journey worth taking. It is a privilege to understand more deeply the Native culture of this particular Pueblo and its people.

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

a tidy and sublime book on a woman who brought a lot of attention to indigenous pottery in the southwest. told in a kind of folkloric voice ... simple, clear and direct. a lovely book, really seemed to capture the period and the work.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has any interest in the Native Americans of the southwest. One of my all time favorites. In many ways, her childhood was like mine, which surprised me.

[Lynzee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and detailed account of Maria's life showing how she made her way as a master potter. Highly recommended for those interested in SW Indigenous art and life.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The genius of blackware pottery. Go see the Millicent Rogers museum in Taos.