The Adams Meet Maria

“Dear John, It is with great pleasure that Virginia and I donate our unique collection of Pueblo Indian pottery by Maria Martinez of San Ildefonso, to the University of Arizona Museum. We believe that this collection should be available for the future use of scholars and enjoyment of the public, and wish to make the gift in honor of our great friends, colleagues and collaborators, Eldridge T. and Jeannette Dyers Spencer.” Maria Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo, dinnerware commissioned by Virginia and Ansel Adams. Donated by Mr. and Mrs. Adams in the name of Mr. And Mrs. Eldridge T. Spencer.
View this pot in 3-D	At the time of the donation, Ansel Adams recalled: “We purchased the pottery for our personal use at home, and we used it often. Virginia would se the table with white linen, with nasturtiums or calla lilies in one of the black bowls. We served Spanish stew or some other non-knife food to spare the finish on the plates. In the 1950s Virginia ordered 5 more plates in the two sizes, as one plate of each had been broken and we wanted to have a total of 12 each.”
The first set bears signatures “Marie,” “Marie and Julian,” and “Julian and Marie.” Those replacement pieces commissioned in the 1950s are signed “Marie and Santana.” Previous \| Next
Image credits: Black-on-black feather motif plates (2002) - Jannelle Weakly Black-on-black feather motif bowl (2002) - UA staff