A Great and Large Zuni Bowl

Zuni Pueblo

Circa 1880 | Clay | Item 2151

This is a large and beautiful Zuni bowl. The height of the rim and the diameter gives it a commanding presence. The warm and aged patina adds to its character. Particularly pleasing is the flexure, or “bulge” to the bowl as it leaves the ground and heads towards its rim. This gives it a very satisfying look of “bowlness.” The design treatment on the outside is the classic use of feather and stepped motifs as found on the majority of Zuni bowls. Inside are four, double capped spirals all connected to the inner small bordered circle. The capped elements are hatched on the inside. At the top of the inside is a wonderful, wavy band of red border with brown circling the rim. The colors are polychrome using both deep drown and red. There is what appears to be a collection inventory number inside one of the spirals. It reads A8632.