Polychrome Bowl with Negative Design [SOLD]

Monica Silva was born at Santa Clara Pueblo around 1900 and moved to Santo Domingo in the late 1910s when she married Santiago Lovato. She came from a respected family of potters. She was responsible for introducing black-on-black pottery into Santo Domingo and, in turn, adopted that pueblo’s style of pottery and became very proficient at it.

She is known as one of the better of the first quarter 20th century potters at Santo Domingo Pueblo. Dough bowls were a favorite of hers. This very strong black painted background, leaving sparse unpainted design areas, such as the circles and narrow lines, was a style used by her. Other potters possibly did as well, but Monica Silva is known for it. A bowl with a similar design sits on the pedestal in the photograph.

Condition Report: The bowl had a crack down one side from rim to mid base. It has been stabilized without attempting to overpaint or conceal the crack.