Santana Melchor was one of the great potters from Santo Domingo throughout the 1900’s.  In 1974 she was part of the delegation of Pueblo potters who visited the White House as a guest of first lady Pat Nixon.  This bowl is a very classic piece of her pottery.  It is fully polished red on the inside and the base.  The body is slipped with a white clay and then painted with the black wild spinach plant. The design has two different Santo Domingo style birds, along with plant designs.  Note the firm lines int he painting!  There is also a spirit line painted on the rim.  The bowl is signed on the bottom, “Santana Melchor”.  It is in good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.