Pavatea, Garnet – 10″ Wide Bowl with Swirling Birds (1960s)

This is a creative large round bowl and ladle by Garnet Pavatea.  Garnet was known for her use of corrugated pottery, but also for her utilitarian forms and intricately painted designs. The bowl has a round shape and is fully polished.  It is painted with bee-weed and red clay. The bowl has large swriling birds on the sides.  Their wings and tails extend up to the edge of the bowl.  The red areas are stone polished and the bowl was traditionally fired so there are light blushes on the surface.  The bowl is signed “Garnet Pavatea”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  However, there are some areas of fugitive black across the surface, as can be seen in the photos.  I have priced the piece accordingly.

Brand

Pavatea, Garnet (1915-1981)

Garnet Pavatea began making pottery in the 1940s. Her sister, Myrtle Young was also well known for making pottery, as well as her niece, Kathleen Dewakuku. At Hopi, there are two kinds of clay. One fires red and the other fires out tan or orangish in color. Garnet was one of the few potters who excelled working with the red clay. Even today, few potters use red, as it is more difficult to polish and fire and have it come out with a consistent coloration. Her pottery is signed, "Garnet Pavatea". Garnet's work can be found in numerous books and in various museums around the country, including the Heard Museum and the Museum of Northern Arizona.