Pauline Martinez

San Ildefonso Pueblo

Pauline Martinez is a potter in the Maria Martinez tradition at San Ildefonso Pueblo. She was born in 1950 at Santa Clara Pueblo and moved to San Ildefonso after her marriage to Maria's son George Martinez. Her mother was Cresencia Tafoya, her brother Mark Tafoya and sisters Harriet Tafoya and Annie Baca.

Pauline typically used the same potting techniques she'd learned from her mother as she was growing up but after her marriage, Santana Roybal Martinez (her siser-in-law) and Clara Montoya taught her the San Ildefonso way to make pots.


Avanyu design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar with an avanyu design
3 in H by 4 1/4 in Dia
Feather design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with a feather design
3 in H by 3 3/4 in Dia
Geometric design on a black on black oval bowl
Oval black on black bowl decorated with a geometric design
2 3/4 in H by 4 in Dia
Feather and geometric design on a black on black jar
Black on black jar decorated with a feather and geometric design
3 1/4 in H by 3 3/4 in Dia
Feather and geometric design on a black on black oval bowl
Black on black oval bowl decorated with a feather and geometric design
2 3/4 in H by 3 3/4 in Dia

San Ildefonso Pueblo Potters