Vessel c. early 20th century

This is a vessel made by Maria Martinez. I love this pot! It's a small, black-on-black burnished pot. I wonder what it would feel like to hold? I imagine it's a smooth, grounding form, and the curves are amazing. Look at those matte designs around the rim. They’re both abstract and figurative—zigzags and bird-like forms circle the top of the pot. Maybe Maria was thinking about her surroundings and the animals that lived there. When you look at it, you can see the hand of the artist. You can imagine her smoothing the clay, feeling the shape emerge beneath her fingers. Firing pottery is always a gamble. I wonder if she felt anxious when she opened the kiln? Every gesture matters!