Maricopa Black-on-red Bowl with Frog Design [SOLD]

The Maricopa Indian Tribe is comprised of what remains of five Yuman-speaking tribes from the area of the lower Colorado River region who eventually settled at the confluence of the Gila and Salt rivers in Arizona, in the Phoenix suburbs.  Although the Maricopa are tied linguistically to the Yuma, they are socially and culturally tied to the Pima.  Since the Maricopa and Pima spoke different languages, they communicated in Spanish, a language common to both tribes.  Apparently, the name Maricopa came from the Spanish work "mariposa" which means butterfly, a name derived from the facial designs that resembled butterfly wings.

Pottery making by the Maricopa, and the Pima as well, had practically ceased by the beginning of the 20^th century.  There was no market for it nor was there any need to make more than required in the native households.  In 1902, they were stripped of their irrigation water rights by an organization known as the Salt River Valley Water Users Association who diverted water from the land where the Maricopa planted crops.  Devoid of water, they became destitute. 

In the early 20^th century, Elizabeth Hart of the United States Indian Service Home Extension Department, somewhat came to their rescue when she instituted a revival in pottery and helped find a market for the wares.  It was only in the 1980s that the tribal members were compensated for the loss of water rights. Even with the revival of pottery production, there were never more than a dozen potters at work.  In the latter part of the 20^th century, there were less than three or four productive potters.

This bowl features designs pendant from the rim that include black triangles, rain drops and scrolls, all of which exhibit Hohokam influence.  The frogs are typical of the style attributed to Barbara Johnson or Mable Sunn, but the signature on this bowl has been abraded away so there is no way to assign it to a particular potter.

Condition:  very good condition except for the abrasion on the underside where the signature might have been in the past.  There is also a small scratch in the slip in that same area (see photo).

Provenance:  from the collection of Katherine H. Rust

Recommended Reading: Dirt for Making Things by Janet Stoeppelmann