Kewa Pueblo Polychrome Pictorial Bowl [SOLD]

Occasionally we receive a pottery item that is decorated in such a manner that it brings a smile to our face. This Kewa bowl qualifies as such. The birds on its interior (turkeys?) are so charming that it is not possible to look at them and not smile. The potter certainly must have enjoyed painting them.

The bowl itself is a work of art. The flat bottom serves as a base for beautifully flaring walls that grow upward and end in a graceful flaring rim. Bowls with rims that flare outward like this one generally date to late 19^th or early 20^th century. I would date this one to be the latter.

The bottom portion of the bowl is slipped in red clay from the base to just below the double framing lines at the bottom of the decorated area. The pair of framing lines and the black rim feature ceremonial line breaks. Simple floral elements surround the exterior of the bowl.

A minor rim chip has been professionally restored to its previous condition and a couple slip cracks have been checked and found to be stable. The bowl is now in excellent condition and ready to be enjoyed for its beautiful shape and charming animals.