Adobe Gallery Blog

This is an extraordinarily beautiful polychrome bowl of traditional characteristics from Tesuque Pueblo. It was exhibited in Adobe Gallery Tesuque show in 2002. The paste is typically Tesuque in consistency-tan in color and fibrous in texture. The un-slipped tan underbody exhibits the bumpiness characteristic of Tesuque pottery. The bottom is rounded or slightly domed and features an extraordinary fire cloud.

The double pairs of framing lines do not contain ceremonial breaks, following a tradition at Tesuque dating back more than 200 years. The black rim, however, contains four line breaks, probably not ceremonial in intent, but perhaps a decorative experiment.

This bowl is classed as polychrome solely on the red band on the underside. There is no red elsewhere in the decoration. Rain clouds, lightning, seed pods, and floral elements predominate the interior design. A chain-like band encircles the exterior in typical Tesuque fashion. The bowl dates to circa 1880.

Condition: excellent condition
Provenance: the bowl formerly was in the personal collection of Richard M. Howard, Santa Fe dealer and collector. It was purchased from him in 2002 and exhibited in the Tesuque Pueblo pottery exhibit at Adobe Gallery, then sold to a client during the exhibit. It is now available from that client.
Recommended Reading: Tesuque: Place of the Red Willow, August 9-31, 2002, Adobe Gallery exhibit.

Subject: Tesuque Pueblo Polychrome Bowl with Elaborate Designs
Potter Unknown
Category: Historic
Origin: Tesuque Pueblo
Medium: clay, pigment
Size: 3-1/4" deep x 8-3/4" diameter
Item # C3378B