Guardians of Tradition:
Martha Appleleaf and Erik Fender

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | September 2025

New arrivals from Martha Appleleaf and Erik Fender are gracing us with their presence here at Chimayo Trading. Visit us at the Saint Francis Church Plaza in Ranchos de Taos, NM, or online at chimayotrading.com to see the entire collection.

San Ildefonso Pueblo, located 20 miles northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, is renowned for its rich tradition of pottery, particularly the iconic black-on-black style pioneered by Maria Martinez. Among the contemporary potters carrying forward this legacy are Martha Appleleaf and her son, Erik Fender, whose innovative yet deeply traditional work has earned them widespread acclaim. This week we explore their contributions to San Ildefonso pottery, their unique styles, and their connection to a storied family lineage of potters.

Martha Appleleaf
Born in 1950 at San Ildefonso Pueblo, Martha Appleleaf is the daughter of Carmelita Vigil Dunlap, a niece of Maria Martinez, and Nicholas Cata. Raised by her grandmother, Desideria Sanchez, Appleleaf grew up immersed in the world of pottery, observing her aunts—Maria Martinez and Clara Montoya—collaborate on their creations.

Martha Appleleaf – 4” x 8”, $1200

Appleleaf’s mother, Carmelita Dunlap, was a master potter who earned an unprecedented 20 First Place ribbons at the Santa Fe Indian Market. The legacy of Martha’s mother profoundly influenced Martha when she began making pottery with her and her siblings and has been an active potter since 1970.

Martha Appleleaf – 4.75” x 9.75”, $1200

Appleleaf’s commitment to traditional techniques—hand-coiling, stone polishing, and outdoor firing with natural materials—ensures her pottery remains authentic to San Ildefonso’s heritage. Her work is featured exclusively at Chimayo Trading Del Norte and celebrated as collector’s items. Martha’s work has also been featured at museums and private collections all over the world such as The Museum of Indian Arts and Culture Santa Fe, NM, Santa Fe Indian Market, Santa Fe Art Auction, Heard Museum Phoenix, AZ and the Museum of New Mexico. Appleleaf’s pottery is often exhibited alongside her son Erik Fender’s, reflecting their collaborative family tradition.

Erik Fender (Than Tside’h) – 10.5” x 9.25”, $2600

Erik Fender
Born in 1970 at San Ildefonso Pueblo, Erik Fender, whose Tewa name is Than Tsideh (Sunbird), is the son of Martha Appleleaf and grandson of Carmelita Dunlap. At age 10, he began learning pottery from his mother and grandmother, absorbing the traditional techniques that define San Ildefonso’s black-on-black style. In 1987, he won an award in a Congressional art competition, reflecting his interest in color and design, which later influenced his innovative pottery techniques.

Martha Appleleaf – 4.5” x 6.25”, $1200

Fender’s work is a dynamic blend of traditional and contemporary styles showcasing his creativity while honoring San Ildefonso’s heritage. Fender harvests clay from sacred grounds within the pueblo, breaks it into a fine powder, mixes it with volcanic ash and water, and hand-coils his vessels. After drying, he sands and stone-polishes the surface, painting with natural vegetal paints before firing the pots outdoors using traditional methods.

Erik Fender (Than Tside’h) – 7.75” x 5”, $1600

One of Fender’s notable contributions is his revival of older San Ildefonso styles. Fender’s innovative approach has earned him numerous awards at prestigious events like the Santa Fe Indian Market and the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show. Fender’s dedication to rediscovering lost techniques, such as those from earlier centuries, underscores his mission to preserve and expand San Ildefonso’s pottery legacy.

Martha Appleleaf – 5” x 6.75”, $1200

Both Martha Appleleaf and Erik Fender are deeply rooted in the collaborative spirit of San Ildefonso pottery, a tradition exemplified by their family’s history of working together. Their connection to Maria Martinez, one of the most famous Native American potters of the 20th century, is a source of pride and responsibility. Martinez, along with her husband Julian, revolutionized San Ildefonso pottery by reviving the black-on-black style around 1920, transforming it from utilitarian craft to collectible art. Appleleaf and Fender continue this legacy, balancing tradition with innovation.

Erik Fender (Than Tside’h) – 9.25” x 7.5”, $1800

Appleleaf and Fender’s contributions extend beyond their individual creations. By passing down techniques to the next generation and engaging with collectors and institutions, they ensure that San Ildefonso pottery remains a vibrant, living art form. As Appleleaf eloquently stated,

“It’s our privilege and honor that the Clay Mother lets us make her beautiful. She allows us to do all this to her—and it allows us to have all that we have.”

Martha Appleleaf – 5.5” x 6”, $1200

Erik Fender (Than Tside’h) – 1.5” x 10.75”, $1400

Martha Appleleaf – 5” x 7”, $1200

Erik Fender (Than Tside’h) – 7.5” x 7.25”, $1600

Martha Appleleaf – 4” x 7”, $1,200

Erik Fender (Than Tside’h) – 7.5” x 7”, $1,600

Martha Appleleaf – 5.25” x 8”, $990

Erik Fender (Than Tside’h) – 10” x 8.25”, $2,000

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