Tony Da is renowned for his artistry as well as his innovations to traditional Santa Clara pottery. He was the grandson of Maria and Julian Martinez and the son of Popovi Da, all of whom made dramatic contributions to the traditions of pottery made in Santa Clara. Tony was one of the first Pueblo potters to have added turquoise and other stones to the pottery and he developed two color finishes in one pot, all of which is exemplified in this pot.

Tony began to focus on pottery-making after having studied with Maria, beginning in 1964, and of course, having worked with Popovi before his early death. Unfortunately, Tony was seriously injured in an accident in 1992 and had to cease making pottery. He died in 2008.