Maricopa Bowl with Diamondback Rattler [SOLD]

Maricopa pottery making essentially was non-existent at the turn of the 20th century, but with the diligence of Elizabeth Hart of the United States Indian Service Home Extension Department, there was a revival, not only in production but also in quality of workmanship.

The Maricopa Reservation is located on the Salt River and Gila River region just outside Phoenix, Arizona. There are very few Maricopa Indians remaining, and almost no potters among them. A couple of the well-known names from the past are Ida Redbird and Mable Sunn.

Mable Sunn was part of the revival influence on Maricopa pottery in the early 20^th century.  She achieved fame for her pottery and lived her life on the reservation in a simple manner, without even air conditioning in the stifling heat of the Arizona summers.  Her daughter, Barbara Johnson, and Barbara's daughter, Vicki Howard, are continuing the tradition today.

This bowl with a serpent encircling the rim is a favorite of Mable Sunn.  She stated she liked making these "effigy" vessels.  To her, effigy vessels included vessels with snakes, frogs, lizards, etc., added on to the basic vessel as a three-dimensional object. 

Condition: the bowl is in original condition.  It was signed by the artist, but the signature has been worn away, with only an "M" and the top of a "b" visible, so it was definitely made by Mable Sunn.

Provenance: from the collection of Katherine H. Rust

Recommended Reading: Dirt for Making Things by Janet Stoeppelmann