Santa Clara Pueblo Black Carved Bowl with Handles or ‘Wedding Basket’ [SOLD]

I first met Madeline Naranjo and her daughter, Frances Siow, in the early 1980s when I was purchasing pottery from both. We sold their pottery at the Albuquerque gallery for at least 20 years.  The last Santa Fe Indian Market that she participated in was in 1994 during which she was awarded a ribbon for a carved bowl.  I do not think she is active now.

This style bowl with the twisted handles has been named an engagement bowl.  I am not sure when this occurred or who initiated the name.  The symbolism is based on the twisted handle supposedly signifying the joining together of the couple.

The bowl is decorated with a carved Avanyu (Water Serpent) encircling the body of the vessel.  The entire vessel, including the handles, is stone polished to a fine burnish.

Condition:  the jar is in original excellent condition

Provenance: from a gentleman in California

Recommended Reading: Pueblo Indian Pottery 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf