Maria Martinez, the Mother of San Ildefonso Pottery
Creating pottery is an ancient pueblo art. Shards of pottery have been found in the ruins of the dwellings of the Anasazi, thought to be the ancestors of today’s Pueblo Peoples. But pottery as an art form hasn’t always been the same. In fact, the thousand-year-old... Read moreMaria Martinez: A Chronological Summary of her Various Time-Period Signatures
Famous San Ildefonso potter and the woman responsible for the renaissance of Pueblo pottery, Maria Martinez, used seven different signatures at various points in her career. Many of our customers have expressed interest in knowing how the signatures relate to the time... Read more
Mata Ortiz Pottery
At Palms Trading Company, we are proud to provide a collection that includes hand-made Native American Indian arts and crafts. However, we also carry another type of hand-made pottery: Mata Ortiz. What is Mata Ortiz Pottery? Mata Ortiz pottery is modern,... Read more
Mata Ortiz Pottery
Casas Grandes (Paquime/Mata Ortiz) is a prehistoric archaeological ruin in Chihuahua, Mexico, whose pottery tradition was revived by well-known ceramic artist Juan Quezada. In the early 1970’s, a Mexican railroad worker named Juan Quezada... Read more
Meaning and History behind Zuni Fetishes
The Zuni people are a Pueblo tribe which have historically been situated in the Zuni River valley in what is now Western New Mexico. The tribe has occupied this territory for thousands of years and is widely known for their farming and irrigation practices. They are... Read more
Men’s Jewelry Guide: Turquoise Bracelets and Jewelry
How to Style Turquoise Jewelry for Men? Turquoise is a beautiful, bright blue stone that has been used in jewelry for centuries. It is most commonly found in the southwestern United States and has become known as a “Southwestern gentleman’s stone.”... Read more
Men’s Turquoise Bracelets–A Gift Guide
Look no further than a men’s turquoise bracelet if you’re looking for a stylish and versatile piece of jewelry that is perfect for every occasion. These beautiful accessories are crafted from high-quality turquoise stones set in sterling silver settings,... Read more
Mining and Classifying Turquoise
Although many stones are used in Native American Indian jewelry, one of the most used and recognized is turquoise. The gem, which is “a hydrous phosphate of aluminum, containing copper, iron and other minerals,” ranges in color from bright green to blue-tinted, the... Read more