Traditional Historic Isleta Pueblo Dough Bowl [R]

The most beautiful pottery ever made at Isleta is the plain-ware vessels that are referred to as Red-on-tan typology. Typical traits are sand temper, a red band wiped around the exterior rim, and scattered fire clouds on the exterior. These pieces were traditionally made for use at the pueblo and were rarely sold to tourists who preferred the decorated wares that were not even traditional to Isleta but were brought in with a group of potters from Laguna Pueblo who migrated to and settled at Isleta before 1900.

The body of this historic bowl is simply the unslipped natural clay native to Isleta Pueblo that has been stone polished to a hardness that makes the vessel useful in daily kitchen needs. The warmth of the clay after it has been fired is akin to a beautiful sunset.

Condition:  There is a sunburst crack on one side of the bowl that amazingly does not penetrate to the interior. It appears that a coat of varnish has been put on the exterior, perhaps an attempt to prevent the crack from expanding. The bowl appears to be in very stable condition. There is evidence on the interior of the bowl that it was used for its intended purpose.