San Juan Pueblo Red Rim Over a Tan Historic Pottery Bowl [SOLD]

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Potter Once Known

This is a very traditional San Juan Pueblo, now Ohkay Owingeh, historic pottery dough bowl.  It has a fully polished exterior and a polished interior of the natural clay with the addition of polished red slip around the rim.  The shape of the bowl is very traditional with an outwardly curving rim.  Pottery bowls traditionally have red slip applied to the exterior of the rim, but because this bowl has an outward flaring rim, the red slip was applied to the interior of the rim which would be more visible. This is an extraordinary bowl whose elegance is enhanced by the lack of a painted design. Traditional decoration with fire clouds serves the purpose of design. The natural clay is a soft color with a pleasing appeal.

According to Batkin, pottery making at San Juan almost died out by 1900 except for an occasional piece made for household use or for sale or trade. There was a revival in the 1930s but it was of a different style. It is difficult to find pieces of this size from this time period.  This bowl most likely dates to circa 1900.

Condition: this San Juan Pueblo Red Rim Over a Tan Historic Pottery Bowl is in very good condition with minor abrasions.

Provenance: from the collection of John Barry, author of American Indian Pottery: An Identification and Value Guide

Recommended Reading: Pottery of the Pueblos of New Mexico 1700-1940 by Jonathan Batkin

Relative Links: Ohkay Owingeh - San Juan PuebloSouthwest Indian PotteryHistoric Pottey


Potter Once Known
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