This is truly an extraordinary Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo small bowl that must date to the late 1800s or very early 1900s. The rolled out rim is indicative of that period. The interior is completely covered with traditional rag-wiped bentonite slip. There is a black rim around the top with a ceremonial line break. The interior is designed with a very simple floral element.

It appears that the potter attempted to decorate the exterior of the bowl with other floral elements, but the black guaco paint used at Kewa Pueblo will not adhere to an unslipped surface. It is mandatory that the cream-colored bentonite slip be used if the black design is to show. There is no evidence that the potter applied the bentonite to the exterior.

The condition of the bowl is outstanding. There is some staining on the interior, but it possibly occurred from use of the bowl.

This is a rare piece that should be seriously considered by any collector of historic pottery as it is a wonderful illustration of a potter’s experiment that failed.

Note: to see bottom and inside (top) views of this bowl, click on the second detail image link above.

Recommended Reading: A River Apart: The Pottery of Cochiti & Santo Domingo Pueblos (click here to view details of book) by Valerie Verzuh, et al. (This book is no longer available from Adobe Gallery)