Terrace Rim Black-on-cream Bowl [SOLD]

This is a superb bowl from Cochiti Pueblo that dates to the turn of the century. It is typically Cochiti in all technical aspects: crystalline-rock temper in the paste, stone-polished, black rim, rag-wiped bentonite slip and black vegetal paints. Even without the specifics of construction and materials, this vessel is positively identifiable as Cochiti.

The black vegetal design motifs, painted in a loose but well organized style, free in their application, depict plants, clouds, rain, lightning and Avanyu (water serpents).

Corn plants and rain clouds decorate the walls of the interior of the bowl and a single turtle sits at the bottom. Two magnificent Avanyu wrap around the exterior of the bowl and appear face-to-face. An evergreen tree sits between them. Framing lines on the interior and exterior outline the stepped wall contour.

At each of the four highest stepped elements of the wall has been drilled a small hole. Traditionally a small eagle down feather is suspended from a cotton string laced through each hole.

There is wear in the bottom of the interior of the bowl. Most of the body of the turtle has been worn away, leaving the head, tail and legs visible. One of the stepped wall protrusions has been broken off about ¼” down from the rim. These patterns of wear attest to actual use of the bowl for its intended purpose.

Click the second detail image link above to view several different views of this bowl.

Provenance: From the collection of Alexander E. Anthony, Jr. Purchased 1998.