OHKAY OWINGE POLYCHROME BOWL

circa 1940

This shallow bowl was made by a master potter. We think it's an earlier-than-usual example of San Juan Revival pottery, but we're making that call mostly on its signs of age. Seven potters under the leadership of Regina Cata developed the style in the 1930s and mainly used incised fine-line designs. However, potters looked for more freedom and developed what you see here: the polished red base and the matte tan design field decorated in weak read and white with the designs outlined by a shallow incision. On this one, the incisions were shallow and faint, but they're there. The style dominated Ohkay pottery for the rest of the 20th century.

     What sets this apart is the sophisticated design. You can look at a hundred of these pieces and never see another with an image this dramatic. Whoever made this was no ordinary artist and might well have been one of the original seven.

8" diameter x 1-3/4" high

It shows its age a bit  and has a faint fire cloud on the interior.

Condition very good otherwise.

S-1018     $375