Alvin Curran was possibly the most refined and sophisticated San Juan style potter of his generation. He was married to Dolores Curran and his daughter is Ursula Curran, both of whom continue to make pottery.  Alvin took the traditional style of incised San Juan polychrome pottery and refined his carving and painted designs.  This is one of the few collaborative pieces by Dolores and Alvin.  Alvin made the plate and it is almost paper thin!  The plate is incised with clouds on the rim and rain clouds in the center.  The central medallion is fully polished and there is an avanyu that was painted by Dolores.  The plate was traditionally fired red.  It is signed on the bottom, “Alvin Curran  Dolores Curran”.   It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

I asked Dolores about the plate, and she said that they made less than 10 collaborative pieces.  She said Alvin would make the plate and then she would polish the rim and the center.  Because the plates are so thin, she said she was nervous polishing them, afraid they would break.