Zuni Pueblo Historic Pottery Small Serving Bowl, circa 1920

This is a wonderful example of a traditional Zuni food bowl; however, it does not show evidence of prior use. It appears to date from circa 1920. The interior rim design is the traditional rainbow pattern. Below this rim design are two wide brown framing lines. The star pattern at the bottom interior is like that on one collected by James Stevenson that dates to 1870 (Lanmon & Harlow, 2008:241, fig.16.20), however, this bowl we are featuring does not date to 1870, but the use of the design continued, quite likely by a family member who made the Stevenson bowl. Arrowhead elements float in the bowl.

Construction of the bowl provided for a smooth exterior wall and an additional thickness on the interior rim section. Perhaps this is for added rim strength. Interestingly, this is a procedure practiced by Nampeyo on her bowls. The bottom of the bowl is painted with dark brown pigment as is traditional on all Zuni pottery. The exterior wall design is a simple application of the long-established Zuni designs, including feather caps, as well as triangular lines and key structures. This simpler design is an indication of an earlier date.

This small bowl appears to date to the early 20th century and was quite possibly made as an item to sell to eager visitors looking to capture a piece of Zuni Pueblo. That a bowl was made for sale rather than for use does not make it any less special, as the processes for making either are identical. Additionally, there does happen to be a charm to small pottery vessels that has the propensity to get lost in larger size ones. Perhaps it is our association with small children and small animals that attracts our attention.

Condition: very good condition with minor scratches on the rim top but nothing bothersome. Examination under UV Light does not reveal any damage or repairs.

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Historic Pottery Small Serving Bowl, circa 1920 is from the collection of a family from Santa Fe

Reference: Harlow and Lanmon. The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe

TAGS: Zuni Pueblo, Pueblo Pottery