Vessel c. early 20th century

This striking black vessel was made by Maria Martinez, a Tewa potter from San Ildefonso Pueblo. The smoothness of the surface is really remarkable - it's something you can almost feel just by looking at it. The burnishing and the dark colour, that feels almost velvety, are of course a result of a very specific process, a way of working that involves both material and ancestral knowledge. The painted decoration, that stylized Avanyu serpent encircling the widest part of the pot, seems at once embedded in the form, and slightly on top of it. Those parallel lines, and geometric shapes feel powerful. Martinez's work reminds me of Eva Hesse's sculptures – both artists transform simple materials into something deeply resonant. Each piece becomes more than just an object; it’s a container of stories, a testament to the power of process, and a connection to something much larger than itself.