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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.

Dough bowl

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.

Dough bowl

Date: c. 1880
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
25.4 × 47 cm (10 × 18 1/2 in.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia, Cibola, Bernalillo, and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.997
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma or Laguna polychrome dough bowl; five-color; white slip with black, red, and orange. The design consists of repeating red flower and cloud motifs linked by orange leaf elements. Red underbody and flat base. Large bowl with white interior.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit September 4, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 3”): This is a dough bowl shape. The participants believe this bowl is Acoma based on the clay, slips, and design. The oval shape was probably not intentional but rather just how it came out. Usually bowls like this require more clay and temper to help hold the shape. The design on this bowl is a band of flowers and leaves with clouds. There are two shades of red, making it a five-color polychrome. There is a line break in the double line below the body design.

According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Dough bowls are made thicker than a regular bowl or a water jar. The thicker construction helps to support kneading and extend the life and use of the bowl. Fine sand was often used as the temper for the clay as it helps to make a sturdier vessel. During the firing, it wasn’t uncommon for the rim of a dough bowl to warp because of its weight and size.

The interior of the bowl is sometimes slipped however the more a dough bowl is used the more the interior will wear away. Like food bowls, the interior of dough bowls can become shiny and smooth from use.

With the introduction of modern cooking ware, the use of dough bowls declined. Today at Acoma, dough bowls are rarely made and used.

In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
Acoma and Laguna Pottery
  • Pg. 71, 213
  • Fig. 4.5
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.