Tonita Roybal remains one of the great innovative names in San Ildefonso pottery.  This plate is fully polished on the front.  It is painted with a bird wing pattern around the edge.  The piece was fired to a silvery, gunmetal coloration.  What is fascinating about much of Tonita’s pottery is her use of negative space. Note how the design swirls around the edge but the center is plain.  I always think this speaks to her confidence in polishing and firing, as, of course, it is the firing and gunmetal coloration that makes the plate so spectacular.  A tag on the back indicates it was purchased in 1931.  This would seem correct from the signature, the more fluid design, and the strong gunmetal coloration.  The plate is in very good to near excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed, “Tonita”.