TOHONO O'ODHAM BLACK ON RED BOWL circa 1870

We believe this fire-clouded relic to be one of the oldest, if not the oldest hisoric-era O'odham pieces we've ever found. We chose 1870 as a date because it marks the approximate beginning of the tourist era at San Xavier Mission near Tucson. We believe this was made for use around the household rather than for tourists, and it could date anywere from the early 1800s up to 1900. We feel it's exceptionally early and possibly pre-tourist because of its rough finish and large fire cloud. O'odham and Maricopa potters started worrying about fire clouds early, and they largely disappeared from anything intended for tourists, who didn't like them.

5-1/8" diameter x 2-7/8" high

Condition excellent  

H-377     $395