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Classic Maria Martinez: Native American Pottery Maker of San Ildelfonso

  • Based on 18 reviews
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Arrives Thursday, Sep 26
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Description

Maria Antonia Montoya was born, probably in the year 1887. For nearly one hundred years, until her death in 1980, Maria lived in the pueblo, eager to greet visitors and to share her craft with those who would like to watch and listen. Maria's fascination with pottery-making started at a young age, when she would watch her aunt making pots, after her chores were done. Although many women in the pueblo knew how to make pottery, by Maria's time it was no longer a necessary part of daily life. Inexpensive Spanish tinware and Anglo enamelware had replaced traditional containers and cooking pots. In many ways, the art of pottery making was facing extinction. Fortunately, Maria's interest and willingness to experiment with techniques prevented this from occurring. Not long after her marriage to Julian Martinez, Maria was asked to replicate some pre-historic pottery styles that had been discovered in an archaeological excavation of an ancient pueblo site near San Ildefonso. These excavations of 1908 and 1909, led by Dr. Edgar Lee Hewett (who was also the director of the Museum of New Mexico), produced examples of many pre-historic pottery techniques. Dr. Hewett asked Maria, who already had a reputation in the pueblo for being an excellent pottery-maker, if she could make full-scale examples for the museum of the polychrome ware. It was then that Maria and her husband, Julian (who painted the designs on the pottery after Maria shaped them), began an artistic collaboration that would last throughout their lives together. Maria and Julian refined their pottery techniques and were asked to demonstrate their craft at several expositions, including the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, the 1914 Panama-California Exposition in San Diego, and the 1934 Chicago World's Fair. Part of their success came from their innovations in the style of black-on-black ware. Although other pueblos, such as Santa Clara, had been producing black wares, Maria and Julian invented a t Review This National Park Service film was a winner of CINE Golden Eagle; Certificate of Creative Excellence, U.S. Industrial Film Festival; Certificate Salerno International Film Festival; award second International Craft Film Festival. --National Park Service

Format: NTSC


Contributor: Maria Martinez, Popvi Da, Rick Krepela


Language: English


Runtime: 47 minutes


Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No


Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches; 0.32 Ounces


Director ‏ : ‎ Rick Krepela


Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC


Run time ‏ : ‎ 47 minutes


Release date ‏ : ‎ January 26, 1999


Actors ‏ : ‎ Maria Martinez, Popvi Da


Studio ‏ : ‎ National Park Service Film


Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1


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If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Thursday, Sep 26

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Withstands the test of time.
I have been showing this video to my ceramics students for over 30 years. My first copy was a reel to reel tape, then a VHS, and now a DVD. This is a great video that has withstood the test of time. The kids are still enthralled by Maria's technique and the lesson that it offers about the culture of Pueblo Indian artists. The length is perfect for a set up, viewing, and discussion after. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2014 by Moorhen

  • Maria
Expected more...longer.....techniques....I don't feel I need 18 more words from my original sentence. That is just stupid and a waste of my time.
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2013 by Robin E McGregor

  • Beautifully Done!!
I have only seen the vhs version of this video, but I cannot wait to buy the DVD. I have loved Ms. Martinez's pottery for a very long time and am quite impressed with the documentation of her entire process. This video shows her gathering and mixing the clay, making the pot with the coil method, decorating it with slip, and firing the pot. Ms. Martinez was an extrordinary woman. This video shows the talent, expertise, and love that she put into each pot she created. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2007 by A Reader

  • amazing...
this is must viewing for any admirer of pueblo pottery. watching maria make a piece, from gathering the clay to pulling the finished piece out of the fire is astounding and one is left with the feeling that you have just witnessed a miracle. i've watched it many times, and it never fails to amaze! don't miss it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2009 by Richard J. Welch

  • Classic Maria Martinez
Bought this DVD for my daughter, a University art major. Haven't seen it myself, but she is happy with it. Was listed as showing the entire Native pottery process, from digging up clay to finished pots. This is historically intriguing material by a renowned native potter.
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2015 by Haxie

  • Great for any artist to see
I love this DVD about Maria Martinez and her pottery. First saw it in a college pottery class and had to own it. She shows her techniques from collecting her clay to final polishing of the pottery.
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2013 by S. boesch

  • Excellent video on Pueblo pottery and the woman who brought it back into favor.
Excellent video. Beautiful work and very informative.
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2015 by Mela

  • Nice video
Glad I ordered it
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2015 by Frank K. Berry

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