Randy Nahohai Zuni Polychrome Bowl with Frog and Tadpoles [SOLD]

Randy Nahohai was born into the Eagle Clan at Zuni Pueblo. Taught the traditional art of making pottery by his mother, Josephine Nahohai, Randy was known for his specific contemporary take on the historic Zuni shapes and designs.  

Known to favor frogs as one of his favorite motifs, Nahohai has left his mark with this bowl.  The pictorial focus is on the interior—a central frog is surrounded by four tadpoles and repeating stepped-geometric patterns.  What truly makes this bowl one of a kind is the internal pictorial in conjunction with the stylized exterior.  Historic Zuni content blossoms outward from the center of the bowl, while the colors, shapes and textures of the exterior express its contemporary status.  A tool and focus have been used on the outer rim of the bowl to create banded designs—a crisp brown lip gives way to the white slip followed by a textured band of reddish brown—the most fascinating of the bowl’s elements.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance:  this Randy Nahohai Zuni Polychrome Bowl with Frog and Tadpoles is from the estate of Henry Christensen III, former attorney at law of New York City who purchased it in 1991 from the artist. 

Reference: Gifts of Mother Earth: Ceramics in the Zuni Tradition by Margaret Ann Hardin, Ph.D.