Historic Zuni Dough Bowl with Corn Pollen Interior

This is a magnificent dough bowl from Zuni Pueblo. While overall it is made with very time-honored Zuni designs, there are a few unique qualities that give it a special personality. The size of it is typical of a dough bowl made at Zuni prior to the 1920s, and it looks to have had a fair amount of utilitarian use. Additionally, the coloration is highly traditional, adorned with brown and orange designs over a tan slip.

One of the interesting aspects to this dough bowl is that the interior is covered in corn pollen. This gives it a smooth and somewhat patinated look. There is also a repair on the rim of the bowl, but this was done by a native and in a particularly fascinating way. The repair was done with piñon pitch, part of an important tree to the Southwest. Piñon trees are revered by Native Americans in New Mexico, and when burned, have a very distinct and uplifting fragrance.

On the interior of the bowl, there are two beautiful designs, each repeated twice. Heartline deer, which are quite customary in Zuni pottery, are featured. The reason for the name "heartline deer" is because of the line that goes from the mouth of the deer to its heart. The heartline is meant to represent the breath being the life force of the animal. As usual, on this bowl these deer are depicted inside their "house". There are also two rain clouds with rain coming down around the inside of the bowl. The rim band is quite exceptional, done in a classic "rainbow pattern".

On the outside are long-established Zuni designs, including feather caps, as well as triangular lines and key structures. On the bottom of the bowl, underneath the motif, is a brown painted area.

Given the fascinating culture and traditions of the Zuni people, and the beauty of this excellently crafted bowl, this would make a fantastic addition to any serious collector of historic pueblo pottery.

Condition: This Historic Zuni Dough Bowl with Corn Pollen Interior is very good condition with Native repair at rim

Provenance: Originally from the collection of Richard M. Howard, collector and dealer of Native American art, Santa Fe.

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo by Dwight P. Lanmon and Francis H. Harlow

TAGS: puki depression, pottery, Zuni Pueblo, old pottery