Ohkay Owingeh Very Large Micaceous Historic Pottery Dough Bowl

A Journey Through Time with an Historic Micaceous Pottery Dough Bowl

This text reveals the intriguing history of a large, historic micaceous pottery dough bowl, believed to have originated from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, dating back to the late 1800s. The distinguishing features of micaceous pottery from the northern pueblos of Taos, Picuris, Nambe, Pojoaque, and Ohkay Owingeh are subtle and nuanced, making it a challenge to pinpoint the exact origin. However, a slight indentation on the rim of this piece led to the attribution of its origin to Ohkay Owingeh.

The dough bowl was brought to Adobe Gallery by the nephews of its previous owner, Emilio Naranjo (1916-2008), a resident of Espanola. The close proximity of Espanola, located merely 3 miles from the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, further substantiated the attribution of the bowl's origin to this pueblo. This historic dough bowl serves as a testament to the rich cultural heritage and skilled craftsmanship of the Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo.

Condition:  good for a bowl of this vintage—any cracks are stabilized without being hidden.

Provenance: this Ohkay Owingeh Very Large Micaceous Historic Pottery Dough Bowl is from the estate of Emilio Naranjo (1916-2008), a long-time respected politician from Espanola, New Mexico. Naranjo was a state senator and is credited with single-handedly building the Rio Arriba County Democratic Party and then reigning over it for more than four decades.

Recommended Reading: Anderson, Duane. All That Glitters: The Emergence of Native American Micaceous Art Pottery in Northern New Mexico, 1999

TAGS: Santa Fe, Santa Clara Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, Jody Folwell, Polly Rose Folwell, Susan Folwell