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Maya

A work made of linen, plain weave; screen printed.

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  • A work made of linen, plain weave; screen printed.

Date:

Designed 1931, printed 1948

Artist:

Designed by Ruth Reeves (American, 1892-1966)
Manufactured by Morley-Fletcher, Ltd. (American, mid-20th century)

About this artwork

Ruth Reeves created Maya after studying stone and ceramic depictions of Mayan and Aztec glyphs (systems of writing). The work includes Reeves’s interpretation of three symbols for water that she used to build her composition.

In the early 20th century, American designers like Reeves sought new, non-European sources of inspiration for textile and fashion design. The American Museum of Natural History spearheaded the movement in 1915 by making their Indigenous North and South American collections accessible to artists in an effort to foster a new American design aesthetic.

Status

On View, Gallery 263

Department

Textiles

Artists

Ruth Reeves (Designer) , Morley Fletcher Ltd. (Manufacturer)

Title

Maya, Double Headed Serpent

Places

New York (Object made in), United States (Object made in), North and Central America (Object made in), New York City (Object made in)

Dates

Designed 1931 , Printed 1948

Medium

Linen, plain weave; screen printed

Inscriptions

Designed by Ruth Reeves for Morley-Fletcher Ltd Peruvian Linen Signed in the selvage: “Maya by Ruth Reeves”

Dimensions

Unfolded: 235 × 131.5 cm (92 1/2 × 51 3/4 in.); 235 × 121 cm (92 1/2 × 47 5/8 in.)

Credit Line

Barbara Howard Estate Fund

Reference Number

2018.209

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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