GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This black-on-black plate by famed Pueblo artist Maria Martinez combines ancient Indian symbolism and ceramic techniques with a sleek austerity akin to 20th-century American design aesthetics. Martinez began experimenting with blackware following a commission from archaeologists to re-create ancient Indian pottery excavated near San Ildefonso, New Mexico. Working with members of her family, here her daughter-in-law, Santana, Martinez spent seventy years practicing early firing processes and perfecting her own iconic polished designs set within a matte band and a polished background.
The ceramic plate here pictures an ancient Pueblo motif, the avanyu, a feathered water serpent. The movements of the avanyu accentuate the geometric circularity of the plate. The lightning tongue of the avanyu symbolizes a drought and the need for rain. Over her lifetime, Martinez's exemplary craftsmanship became an emblem for Pueblo artistry and cultural heritage.
Excerpt from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Label text, 2017, A. H. Meadows Galleries.
NOTES
- San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1943–1956 (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 12/01/15 and 07/28/16.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks) -- Provenance Note: Elizabeth M. and Duncan E. Boeckman are the anonymous donors. The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential).
Former fun fact:
Ranked number 5 on "Ceramics of the Southwest United States, Prehistoric to 20th century" list (Items ranked on a scale of 1 through 5, 5 being outstanding).
- Fun Facts Source: TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, data entered by David Alcoze, 06/09/1992.
- Removed the fun fact listed above by request of Michelle Rich, 2/20/2019 due to its lighthearted tone and the gravity of the object. Michelle also questioned the veracity of the information because she is unable to track down who David Alcoze is. (Emily Schiller; 2/25/2019)
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Martinez_María: ULAN: 500127102
Martinez_Santana: DMA
Cultures
Southwestern North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016920
Pueblo (Native American style): AAT: 300017746
San Ildefonso (Rio Grande Pueblo culture / Native American style): AAT: 300017754
Geography
New Mexico (state/United States): TGN: 7007566
Southwest (general region): TGN: 4010660
San Ildefonso Pueblo (inhabited place): TGN: 7014551
San Ildefonso Indian Reservation: TGN: 2067485
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
clay: AAT: 300010439
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
burnishing (polishing): AAT: 300053869
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
plates (dishes): AAT: 300042991
serving dishes: AAT: 300198294
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
ritual objects: AAT: 300312158
portable: AAT: 300256252
black (color): AAT: 300130920
abstract: AAT: 300108127
geometric abstraction: AAT: 300056509
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
dots (geometric motif): AAT: 300010145
arrows: AAT: 300036976
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
bands (decorative): DMA
borders (ornament areas): AAT: 300010252
figures: AAT: 300189808
animals (Animalia kingdom): AAT: 300249395
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
creatures: AAT: 300379697
deities: AAT: 300343850
serpents (snakes/Serpentes suborder): AAT: 300250870
feathers (animal components): AAT: 300400474
myth: AAT: 300201023
mythology (literary genre): AAT: 300055985
mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725
San Ildefonso Polychrome (ceramic type / Southwestern North American style): DMA
oxides (compounds): AAT: 300400890
pigment: AAT: 300013109
repetition (artistic concept): AAT: 300400861
design (discipline): AAT: 300054171
archaeology (social sciences): AAT: 300054328
ancient (style and period): AAT: 300106711
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
matte (optical property): AAT: 300065241
water: AAT: 300011772
movement (compositional concept): AAT: 300400859
circular (shape): AAT: 300263827
lightning: AAT: 300068795
tongue (animal or human components): DMA
symbol: AAT: 300055878
symbolism: AAT: 300055865
rain (precipitation / weather): AAT: 300055377
drought (weather and related phenomena): AAT: 300055368
emblems (symbols): AAT: 300123036
culture: AAT: 300055768
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 1987: Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan E. Boeckman [1], [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Deed of Gift (dated May 28, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[4] See Collections Records Digital Object File.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1987.343.FA
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General Description
This black-on-black plate by famed Pueblo artist Maria Martinez combines ancient Indian symbolism and ceramic techniques with a sleek austerity akin to 20th-century American design aesthetics. Martinez began experimenting with blackware following a commission from archaeologists to re-create ancient Indian pottery excavated near San Ildefonso, New Mexico. Working with members of her family, here her daughter-in-law, Santana, Martinez spent seventy years practicing early firing processes and perfecting her own iconic polished designs set within a matte band and a polished background.
The ceramic plate here pictures an ancient Pueblo motif, the avanyu, a feathered water serpent. The movements of the avanyu accentuate the geometric circularity of the plate. The lightning tongue of the avanyu symbolizes a drought and the need for rain. Over her lifetime, Martinez's exemplary craftsmanship became an emblem for Pueblo artistry and cultural heritage.
Excerpt from
Kimberly L. Jones, PhD, Label text, 2017, A. H. Meadows Galleries.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- San Ildefonso Pueblo, 1943–1956 (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 12/01/15 and 07/28/16.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks) -- Provenance Note: Elizabeth M. and Duncan E. Boeckman are the anonymous donors. The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential).
Former fun fact:
Ranked number 5 on "Ceramics of the Southwest United States, Prehistoric to 20th century" list (Items ranked on a scale of 1 through 5, 5 being outstanding).
- Fun Facts Source: TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, data entered by David Alcoze, 06/09/1992.
- Removed the fun fact listed above by request of Michelle Rich, 2/20/2019 due to its lighthearted tone and the gravity of the object. Michelle also questioned the veracity of the information because she is unable to track down who David Alcoze is. (Emily Schiller; 2/25/2019)
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Martinez_María: ULAN: 500127102
Martinez_Santana: DMA
Cultures
Southwestern North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016920
Pueblo (Native American style): AAT: 300017746
San Ildefonso (Rio Grande Pueblo culture / Native American style): AAT: 300017754
Geography
New Mexico (state/United States): TGN: 7007566
Southwest (general region): TGN: 4010660
San Ildefonso Pueblo (inhabited place): TGN: 7014551
San Ildefonso Indian Reservation: TGN: 2067485
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
clay: AAT: 300010439
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
burnishing (polishing): AAT: 300053869
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
plates (dishes): AAT: 300042991
serving dishes: AAT: 300198294
ritual vessels: AAT: 300265801
ritual objects: AAT: 300312158
portable: AAT: 300256252
black (color): AAT: 300130920
abstract: AAT: 300108127
geometric abstraction: AAT: 300056509
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
geometric patterns: AAT: 300165213
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
circles (plane figures): AAT: 300055627
dots (geometric motif): AAT: 300010145
arrows: AAT: 300036976
lines (geometric concept): AAT: 300056279
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
bands (decorative): DMA
borders (ornament areas): AAT: 300010252
figures: AAT: 300189808
animals (Animalia kingdom): AAT: 300249395
supernatural (concepts): AAT: 300055947
creatures: AAT: 300379697
deities: AAT: 300343850
serpents (snakes/Serpentes suborder): AAT: 300250870
feathers (animal components): AAT: 300400474
myth: AAT: 300201023
mythology (literary genre): AAT: 300055985
mythical or legendary beings: AAT: 300375725
San Ildefonso Polychrome (ceramic type / Southwestern North American style): DMA
oxides (compounds): AAT: 300400890
pigment: AAT: 300013109
repetition (artistic concept): AAT: 300400861
design (discipline): AAT: 300054171
archaeology (social sciences): AAT: 300054328
ancient (style and period): AAT: 300106711
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
matte (optical property): AAT: 300065241
water: AAT: 300011772
movement (compositional concept): AAT: 300400859
circular (shape): AAT: 300263827
lightning: AAT: 300068795
tongue (animal or human components): DMA
symbol: AAT: 300055878
symbolism: AAT: 300055865
rain (precipitation / weather): AAT: 300055377
drought (weather and related phenomena): AAT: 300055368
emblems (symbols): AAT: 300123036
culture: AAT: 300055768
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 1987: Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Duncan E. Boeckman [1], [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated April 08, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Deed of Gift (dated May 28, 1987, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[4] See Collections Records Digital Object File.
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