Zuni Pueblo Polychrome Pictorial Pottery Serving Bowl by Josephine Nahohai

The Nahohai Legacy: A Study of Zuni Pueblo Pottery

This Zuni pottery bowl, crafted by the skilled hands of Josephine Nahohai, is of a size typically employed for kneading bread dough or serving food to the family. Interestingly, this particular bowl does not bear the marks of use at the pueblo, suggesting it may have been created for a different purpose.

Josephine Nahohai, a renowned artist from Zuni Pueblo, crafted this pottery bowl with a distinctive, gracefully outward-rolling rim. This style, though not commonly seen in contemporary pottery, was a frequent feature in earlier times, hinting at a rich historical lineage.

The interior of the bowl is adorned with a heartline deer design, enclosed within a circle. This circle, along with a wide band framed by a dark brown line at the rim, showcases a strikingly bold design. This design, so large that it was only repeated once, begins with an orange diamond outlined in brown pigment. From the four points of the diamond, designs radiate outwards - a pair of large orange triangles branch out from the side points, while cloud elements rest on the top point and support the bottom point. The ends of the triangles are capped with wide brown arches with spiral ends, adding a touch of complexity to the design.

The exterior of the bowl is divided into four rectangular bands, each featuring stepped design elements that are characteristic of traditional Zuni style.

The Nahohai family, consisting of Josephine and her sons, Milford and Randy, were among the finest potters at Zuni in the twentieth century. Josephine passed away in 2007, followed by Randy in 2016. Milford continues the family tradition, actively producing pottery that carries forward the legacy of the Nahohai family.

Condition: very good condition with minor abrasions to the painted pigment.

Provenance: this Zuni Pueblo Polychrome Pictorial Pottery Serving Bowl by Josephine Nahohai is from the collection of a client from Colorado

Recommended Reading: Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf