Black ware pottery from the pueblo of San Ildefonso in New Mexico. Maria Martinez dicovered in the firing process that the pottery turned a lusterous black. She was a wonderful potter who taught the process to her village and she became very famous. I was at the village and met a potter Elizabeth who still fires her work in the same manner as Maria of the Pueblos. It was thrilling to see the area I had taught about in class and to view some of the pottery still being created after Maria's death,,,Below is the outdoor kiln before the cow paddies are put on and the firing begins. Several artists live in the pueblo and carry on the tradition....I wish to thank them for sharing with me.