Da, Tony (1940-2008)

Tony Da (1940-2008), is one of the most celebrated of the San Ildefonso potters. His work is highly collectible due to its scarcity: Da’s pottery-making career was cut short at age 42 after he was severely injured in a motorcycle accident. Da (pronounced “day”), was raised in the family pottery tradition; he was the grandson of acclaimed potters Maria and Julian Martinez and son of pottery innovator Popovi Da. Tony Da built on this heritage, taking the art form to new heights creating intricate “sgraffito” carvings on the surfaces of the work, adding inlaid stones, and creating unusual pottery forms. His intricate turtle designs have commanded some of the highest prices of all of Da’s pottery styles.