This bowl by Juanita Pena is yet another of her distinctive pieces of pottery. The bowl is shaped so that the cloud and rain design is duplicated around the rim.  Below the shoulder is an eternity band which is finely painted and encircles the entire piece. However, it is not the painting or shape which define the bowl, but the firing. There are sections which are a dynamic gunmetal coloration. The gunmetal coloration swirls around the polished lower section of the jar creating its own design. As the bowl is turned there is then a brownish colored area, most likely from where the bowl was sitting next to another piece of pottery.  When the manure was added the smoke was not able to reach this area.  It is a striking piece and an exciting piece of San Ildefonso pottery history!  The bowl is in very good condition with  no cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Juanita”.   Juanita created some truly exceptional early pottery with innovative designs, great condition and a wonderful history.