Ceramic Production in Early Hispanic California: Craft, Economy, and Trade on the Frontier of New Spain

14. Losa Surtida: Historical and Archaeological Perspectives on Imported Ceramics in Alta California

14 Losa Surtida Historical and Archaeological Perspectives on Imported Ceramics in Alta California Barbara L. Voss Colonial settlements in Alta California imported substantial quantities of ceramics from Mexico, China, and Europe. Archaeologists have given these imported wares, which were usually glazed and often quite beautifully decorated, a wealth of attention since the early 1900s. But how do the elaborate classification systems developed by archaeologists relate to how these ceramics were valued and used by the residents of colonial settlements ? Analysis of colonial shipping records from Santa Barbara and San Francisco provides a window into the folk categories used to order and inventory imported ceramics in Alta California. A case study from my research at the San Francisco presidio illustrates how this historical evidence brings new perspectives to archaeological interpretations of Spanish colonial ceramics. Imported Ceramics: History and Function The category of imported ceramics is used here to refer to ceramics used in Alta California that were not manufactured within the province (figure 14.1). The majority of imported ceramics arrived in Alta California via annual supply ships from the Naval Department of San Blas. Located on the Pacific Coast of Mexico between present-day Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, San Blas was established in 1768 for the express purpose of 284 Part V. Pottery as an Active Component of Colonial Economics facilitating the Manila Galleon trade and serving as a supply depot for Alta California colonial settlements (Thurman 1967). Goods shipped from San Blas to Alta California ranged from blacksmiths’ anvils to silk ribbons. Household goods figured prominently, including household ceramics. The majority of ceramics shipped to Alta California were produced in present-day Mexico, including mayólica (tin-enameled earthenwares), Galeras (lead-glazed redwares), and Bruñida de Tonalá (burnished earthenwares ). The remainder consisted of ceramic wares produced outside the Spanish empire, such as Asian porcelains and British whitewares. Some of these may have arrived in Alta California through alternative Figure 14.1. Examples of imported ceramic ware types typically found in Spanish colonial Alta California sites. Recovered from Building 13 midden, San Francisco Presidio: a) mayólica; b) Bruñida de Tonalá; c) British whiteware ; d) Chinese export porcelain; e) Galera. Photograph by Barbara L. Voss. Imported Ceramics in Alta California 285 trade relationships, for example through licit and illicit trade with American , British, and Russian vessels. Trading with these non-Spanish suppliers accelerated in the 1810s, after the Mexican War for Independence disrupted supply lines from San Blas. As other chapters in this book document, Alta California settlements also obtained and produced local ceramics for daily use. Sherds of locally produced vessels have been recovered at every excavated Spanish colonial site. In some cases, these vessels were the result of trade with local indigenous communities, and in places where this was the case, local earthenwares often demonstrate a continuation of prehistoric indigenous ceramic traditions, with modifications to appeal to colonial tastes. Additionally , missions, presidios, and pueblos established their own ceramic production, both at the household level and in organized workshops. The dynamic relationship between locally produced wares and imported wares is evident in the archaeological record. In general, imported wares are less abundant in the southern areas of the province. There, colonial settlers were able to procure ceramics from Native Californian potters who had developed distinctive ceramic traditions long before colonization. For example, Barbolla-Roland’s (1992, 120–31) analysis of ceramics from a range of archaeological deposits at the San Diego presidio found that local aboriginal ceramics constituted 74 percent of the total assemblage, Mexican-produced ceramics amounted to 24 percent , and the remaining 2 percent consisted of European whitewares and stonewares and Asian porcelains. In the northern regions, where Native Californian communities primarily used basketry, colonial communities were more dependent on the San Blas shipments for ceramics. Voss’s (2002, 691) analysis of ceramics from the Building 13 midden, a deposit at the San Francisco presidio dating from 1776 to around 1800 found that only 25 percent were produced locally; 67 percent of the wares were produced in Mexico; and the remaining 8 percent originated in Europe, China, or an unknown location. The relative function of imported and locally produced ceramics also varied from settlement to settlement. At the San Diego presidio, BarbollaRoland ’s research showed that although the majority of locally produced vessels were bowls and ollas, there were also significant numbers of flat plates and saucers. She noted that “European conventions...