Historic Hopi-Tewa Bowl with Zuni Design on the Interior c.1890s

This remarkable historic Hopi-Tewa bowl, dating to the 1890s, features an interior design distinctly influenced by Zuni aesthetics — a visual reflection of a chapter of shared history between the two pueblos. During the early 1700s, the Hopi people endured a devastating famine caused by drought, crop failure, and outside pressures. Many sought temporary refuge at Zuni Pueblo, where more favorable conditions allowed them to survive and maintain cultural continuity. The result was a period of close interaction, during which artistic influences naturally crossed tribal lines. This bowl's Zuni-inspired interior serves as a tangible testament to that period of inter-pueblo connection and adaptation nearly two hundred years earlier. A distinctly Hopi-Tewa characteristic found in this bowl is its extra-thick rim, a feature popularized by the influential Hopi-Tewa potter Nampeyo of Hano directly after this period, further underscoring the blending of tradition and innovation in this exceptional piece.

The bowl comes to us from a consignor with a compelling personal story. In the mid-1970s, he was a dean at Phoenix College and developed a friendship with a Hopi student worker in his office. Through their conversations about her heritage, she eventually invited him to visit her village of Old Oraibi. There, he met her grandmother and, as a gesture of respect, brought her a few small gifts. In return, she gifted him two pottery bowls, explaining that they were too old for her to continue using. When asked about their age, she replied simply that they had been in her family for as long as she could remember.

In good condition with age-appropriate wear, this bowl shows signs of long use, especially in the interior surface. It also bears a notable chip on the rim, consistent with its function and age. A rare and storied piece, this bowl offers both historical significance and aesthetic presence, embodying the resilience and interwoven histories of the Hopi and Zuni peoples.

Condition: In good condition with substantial wear from age and use, particularly visible in the interior of the bowl, and includes a notable chip on the rim.

Provenance: This Historic Hopi-Tewa Bowl with Zuni Design on the Interior c.1890s is from a gentleman in Alaska. He received the bowl as a gift during a visit to the village of Old Oraibi in 1978.

Recommended Reading: Canvas of Clay: Seven Centuries of Hopi Ceramic Art by Edwin L. Wade and Allan Cooke

TAGS: pottery, Hopi Pueblo