I-M-127 Zuni avanyu bowl.
The people of Zuni Pueblo speak what is known as a language isolate which means that it has no relationship to any other native language and is simply called Zuni. Their pueblo can be found in west central New Mexico about 30 miles from Gallup.
The pottery of Zuni, called Zuni polychrome, is quite distinct from most other pueblos with the exception of Hopi in Arizona. A 19th century type of Hopi ware, called Polacca Polychrome, shared many design components with Zuni with whom the Hopi were closely allied. This rare and wonderful bowl is what is called a kiva or avanyu bowl. As well as for their own use, the Zuni have made these to sell since the last quarter of the 19th century. They are characteristically terraced on the rim (representing rain clouds) and are usually decorated with paintings of water creatures such as frogs and tadpoles. This example is the type that makes use of three- dimensional applied figures. It has two applied avanyu or water serpents, which are sacred to the pueblo cultures. They have raised bodies on the inside of the bowl with their horned heads projecting from the outer bowl wall, (much like they appear coming out of alter screens in the kiva). Figures of tad poles, dragon flies and horny toads adorn the remainder of this elaborate example. Several of these very elaborate kiva bowls (all by the same unknown potter) appear in some publications. One is illustrated in Oscar Branson’s book on fetishes, p.21 and another in THE POTTERY OF ZUNI PUEBLO by Lanmon and Harlow, p. 434.
This bowl measures 5" h. by 9 ¼” not counting the projecting heads which protrude an additional 1 3/4" from one side of the bowl. A rare and important example dating to about 1910. $9,500.00