Plate
ca. 1930s
Medium
Decorative Arts-Ceramic
Classification
Decorative Arts-Ceramic
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of International Business Machines Corporation
Accession Number
1966.27.15
Tags
About this artwork
Maria Montoya Martinez and her husband, Julian, were Tewa Native Americans from San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico. Inspired by ancient pots excavated near the pueblo between 1907 and 1909, the couple broke away from traditional polychrome wares and began creating decorative black-on-black pieces covered with stylized designs based on natural forms. The Martinezes are credited with revitalizing a declining pottery tradition and with pioneering a new style that resonated with the art deco movemen...