TWO MARIA & SANTANA BLACK POTTERY VESSELS, SAN ILDEFONSO PUEBLO, NEW MEXICO, SIGNED, CIRCA 1960, comprising a small shaped vase with matt black on burnished black curvilinear cloud motif suspending line and dot decoration, verso signed "Marie & Santana," height: 3", diameter: 4"; the wide mouthed bowl of compressed circular form and sides centering bands of vertical feathers alternating stepped geometric details, verso signed "Marie & Santana," height: 3", diameter: 6 3/4". Note: Maria (Marie) Montoya Poveka Martinez (Native American 1887-1980) a native of the San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, had made pottery since childhood and continued with her husband Julian who she was able to develop the black on black pottery, died unexpectedly in 1943. After his death, her son Adam Martinez (1903-2000) and his wife Santana Martinez (1909-2002) assisted in the various steps from gathering the clay, modeling, decorating, and the firing. It was during this time that the signature "Marie & Santana" was used.Maria Montoya was a highly important potter in the development of what is recognized as the San Ildefonso style of pottery. Her work has been exhibited at fairs across the globe, has attained numerous awards and can be found in museums as well as private collections throughout the world. Recognition by the National Endowment for the Arts in the form of a grant in 1973 allowed for the opening of the Martinez pottery workshop.