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Circular Shallow Bowl

Arts of the Americas

Utilizing traditional hand-coiling techniques, vessel forms, and open-trench firing, Maria Martinez invented a unique style of pottery featuring black-on-black designs (as seen here), which had never been done before.

Martinez began potting to provide income for her family, collaborating with her husband, Julian, and later her son, Popovi Da, as painters. She eventually became world-famous, attracting visits from Japanese masters who wanted to learn her techniques. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., invited her to help with the dedication of New York’s Rockefeller Plaza in 1933.
MEDIUM Clay, slip
DATES ca. 1943
DIMENSIONS 2 3/8 x 13 1/4 in. (6 x 33.7 cm)  (show scale)
SIGNATURE "Marie and Julian"
COLLECTIONS Arts of the Americas
ACCESSION NUMBER 43.201.198
CREDIT LINE Anonymous gift in memory of Dr. Harlow Brooks
PROVENANCE Prior to 1936, provenance not yet documented; before 1936, acquired by Henry Harlow Brooks of New York, NY; by 1943, acquired from the estate of Henry Harlow Brooks by an anonymous donor; October 26,1943, gift of an anonymous donor to the Brooklyn Museum.
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CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION Platter-shaped bowl with highly polished black on black circular feather design radiating from the center and framed with four black lines. Condition: good.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
CAPTION Maria Martinez (ca. 1887–1980). Circular Shallow Bowl, ca. 1943. Clay, slip, 2 3/8 x 13 1/4 in. (6 x 33.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift in memory of Dr. Harlow Brooks, 43.201.198. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.43.201.198.jpg)
IMAGE overall, CUR.43.201.198.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2014
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RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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Maria Martinez (ca. 1887–1980). <em>Circular Shallow Bowl</em>, ca. 1943. Clay, slip, 2 3/8 x 13 1/4 in. (6 x 33.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Anonymous gift in memory of Dr. Harlow Brooks, 43.201.198. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.43.201.198.jpg)