Rare San Ildefonso Seed Jar by Maria and Julian Martinez, c. 1920

This disc-shaped seed jar is thinly-potted and brightly decorated with polychrome feathers around the mouth creating the shape of a flower in the negative space. The body is wreathed with a ribbon of flowers draping gracefully around the vessel. Maria borrowed the seed jar form from Nampeyo and Julian uses his signature design skills to create a lovely enriching pattern. Traditional polychromes by Maria and Julian are rare and precede their invention of polished blackware in 1920.

This piece measures 4 ¼” high by 10 ¼” in diameter and is in good condition, with slight wear on the base.