Ohkay Owingeh [formerly San Juan Pueblo] 19th Century Serving Bowl [SOLD]

This is a very traditional Ohkay Owingeh [formerly San Juan Pueblo] vessel shape dating to the period 1870s. The vessel was slipped in red clay from the pueblo and then stone-polished to a high luster, both interior and exterior. It is a beautiful deep dark blood red, of the color seen in pre-1900 vessels.

The shape of the bowl is very pleasing. It flares out from the bottom to form a globular body that gracefully curves upward before rising to a short neck that has a gentle concave shape. There is a noticeable rim at the top of the neck.

According to Batkin¹, pottery making at Ohkay Owingeh [formerly San Juan Pueblo] almost died out by 1900 except for an occasional piece made for household use or for sale or trade. There was a revival in the 1930s but it was of a different style. It is difficult to find pieces of this size from this time period.

¹Recommended Reading: Pottery of The Pueblos of New Mexico: 1700-1940,(click here to view details of book) by Jonathan Batkin. 1987. (This out-of-print book may be available from Adobe Gallery)