Carmelita Dunlap is one of the San Ildefono potters best known for her large vessels.  However, it is nice to see that on her smaller work she created pieces with equal precision and detailed painting.  This small bowl is simply stunning with the highly polished surface and the use of a minimal plant design. The plants rise up from the shoulder of the bowl.  The piece is fired a chocolate brown, which is equally impressive in color.  Typical of her work, there is a lot of open space to let the polishing, shine, and simplicity of design each stand on their own. The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Carmelita Dunlap”.  It is dated 1980.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.