Creation Date

1931 – 1955

Description

"This jet black, glossy jar has a wide round base and a long, slender neck. It is 8 1/2 inches high. The serpent design, favored among the San Ildefonso Pueblo Indians, is worked around the round base and again around the rim of this jug by leaving parts of this design unpolished, which makes it a gray-black in color. This jug was made by Marie (Maria Martinez) and Julian, famous San Ildefonso potters. When Julian lived, Marie made the pottery and Julian put on the design."

"This jest black is not derived from paint. When the pottery is to be fired, a wood fire is built. The pottery is carefully buried in wood and powdered animal manure is sprinkled onto the wood. The fire is lighted, and the pottery is fired until it has reached the proper stage of blackness." - From Cleora's Guide to the collection.