Zuni Pueblo Candleholder Dish [SOLD]

This Southwest Indian Pottery candleholder is signed on the underside with what looks like N. P. Zuni, N.M. but it really is N. B. which of course is Nellie Bica. 

It is a very nice dish with the traditional dark brown bottom, on which are painted the initials in red paint.  The exterior and interior walls feature traditional Zuni designs executed in red and brown pigments.  The interior base of the dish is painted white.  I have debated as to whether this is a candleholder or an incense holder.  Since it has not been used, it is difficult to determine its intended use.

Condition: as new

Provenance: from a collection of a family in New Mexico

Recommended Reading: Collections of Southwestern Pottery: Candlesticks to Canteens, Frogs to Figurines by Allan Hayes, et al.