Polychrome Isleta Terrace Rim Bowl [SOLD]

There is very little published information on terrace rim bowls. They have been referred to as “ceremonial” bowls, “kiva” bowls, and “terrace rim” bowls. It has been speculated that they were made for use in private homes and in kiva ceremonials, but this has not been substantiated in publications.

This bowl from Isleta Pueblo is of the style that developed after the arrival of the group of Laguna Pueblo Indians who left their native Laguna Pueblo and moved to Isleta Pueblo in 1879 and settled in a village they named Oraibi. They brought the traditional Laguna Pueblo Polychrome pottery style with them, and it eventually replaced the traditional Isleta plain ware that had existed for centuries.

Prior to the arrival of the Laguna colony, the Isleta potters used sand as a tempering agent, resulting in pottery that was thick walled and not of the finest quality. The Laguna potters introduced the Isleta potters to potsherds as a tempering agent, thus resulting in thinner walled, stronger and higher quality wares.