Alexander E. Anthony Jr. is the owner of Adobe Gallery in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Recently, he reminisced about his journey as a dealer in Native American pottery. “Many years ago, I wandered into a shop in Albuquerque and was mesmerized by a Maria Martinez blackware bowl. I purchased the bowl on layaway, and as my interest grew, I began buying and selling small pots and Kachina dolls. Nearly 50 years later, my life is centered around my passion for Native pottery.
Very large Cochiti Pueblo historic pottery storage jar with leather reinforcements, Cochiti Pueblo (KO-TYIT), clay, pigment and leather, 17½ x 21-diamter"
I am fortunate and proud to be able to run a business devoted not only to selling Native artwork, but also to educating collectors and admirers about its history and cultural significance.”
The gallery, located at the base of historic Canyon Road, will celebrate its 45th anniversary at an event December 17 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Alexander E. Anthony Jr., owner of Adobe Gallery, who is celebrating 45 years in business this month.
Among the pieces that will be displayed at the event is a very large Cochiti Pueblo historic pottery storage jar with leather reinforcements from Cochiti Pueblo. Part of the gallery’s mission to educate is to provide extensive information about individual objects on its website. The extensive text for this storage jar explains that the large size allowed for larger painted designs.
Adobe gallery often has pieces that show Native repairs. The Cochiti jar “was used early in its life and, apparently, following a crack at the rim, was needed for continued use. Leather strips around the neck, over the body and circling the lower part of the jar provided stability, allowing continued use.”
Julian Martinez (San Ildefonso, 1885-1943), Two Dancers, 101/8 x 16½"
Also on display will be Two Dancers by Julian Martinez (San Ildefonso, 1885-1943). Martinez’s paintings are very rare and he is better known for the designs he painted on his wife Maria’s blackware and polychrome pottery.
Rare 19th-century Santa Ana Pueblo polychrome pottery olla from Denver Art Museum, mid- to late-1800s, Santa Ana Pueblo (Tamaya), clay, 10½ x 11½"
When asked what the difference is between the gallery of 45 years and the gallery today, Anthony answered without a pause, “The Internet! We used to photograph the pieces and wait for the pictures to come back, write letters by hand and wait a week for a reply. Today, it’s instantaneous. About 80 percent of our sales are done online. We send out an email every day just after midnight featuring several items. In the morning we have a line-up of emails wanting first choice. Some days we’ll sell one and other days we’ll sell them all.
Alfonso Roybal-Awa Tsireh (San Ildefonso, 1895-1955), Bear with Deer, ca. 1970s, 16¼ x 113/8"
“We’re known for historic pottery and early Pueblo and Navajo paintings from the 1920s to the 1950s. We’ve also been showing storytellers since the 1980s. Seasonally, our customers are interested in Nacimientos or nativity sets.”
Adobe Gallery
December 17, 2021, 5-7 p.m.
221 Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 955-0550, www.adobegallery.com
Powered by Froala Editor
