Historic Santo Domingo Small Serving Bowl [SOLD]

This modestly sized historic pottery bowl was made by a potter from what is known today as Kewa Pueblo. Formerly, it was known as Santo Domingo Pueblo at the time it was made. It was likely used for serving, offering a small glimpse into everyday life at the Pueblo. As usual with pieces like this one, it is traditional in motif and form. The lower portion is a light brown color which then transitions into a darker reddish brown, which then opens to a cream-tan slip with black symbols going around it. Each of these symbols is pointed on the right side and has a concave black circular shape on the left.

On the interior of the bowl are black ridged designs going around the rim toward the bottom and the top, with a ceremonial line break in the middle. The rest of the interior features the beautiful cream slip seen throughout the rest of the piece. Overall, this is an extremely pleasing bowl that invokes a keen sense of wonder at the history of all who have used it.

Kewa (formerly Santo Domingo) Pueblo is one of the best-known tribes of the Southwest Indians, largely because of the skill demonstrated in marketing their crafts. Kewa Pueblo is one of the largest of the nineteen New Mexico Pueblos, and is generally considered the most conservative in terms of customs and culture. The pottery of this pueblo is strictly traditional, reproducing with care the ancient forms and decorations.

Condition: good condition

Provenance: this Historic Santo Domingo Small Serving Bowl is from a private collection

Reference and Recommended Reading: A River Apart: The Pottery of Cochiti & Santo Domingo Pueblos by Valerie Verzuh, et al.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Kewa - Santo Domingo Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Ceremonial breaks