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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: 1860-1880
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 22.9 × 43.1 cm (9 × 16 15/16 in.)
Weight: 4.3 kg (9.5 lb.)
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.1000
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma or Laguna polychrome dough bowl; three-color; white slip with black painted decoration. The design consists of black filled triangles and other geometric motifs (possibly clouds and mountains). Red underbody and cream interior. High walls, squared-off rim and puki (base mold) marks.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 17-19, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 5”): This is a dough bowl with a flat base. It may have made by using a large basket as the base or “puki” to build on. The design is very typical Acoma. There is a pathway break at the bottom of the bowl. Not much more was said about this bowl.

Lily stated that the design reminds her of her grandmother, Teofila Torivio’s designs. She would include the eyes in her clouds.

Note: This bowl may have something lightly incised on the bottom – need to look at it better in a raking light.


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)
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.