This is a spectacular large piece from Al Qoyawayma.  It is one of his architectural pieces from his “Mesa Verde” series.  The oval area is pushed into the clay and then the building is pushed back out from the inside of the bowl. I have included photos of the process, as I think they are both fascinating and also show the incredible skill and time it takes to make a piece like this happen!  Beyond the technical, this large bowl has a very intricate designed Mesa Verde series of buildings. There are the tall towers in the background, both round, and square. In the front is a fully covered kiva with a ladder and an older kiva with the roof missing.  The front has the rocks sculpted into the clay.  Note how Al etches and then paints all the “bricks” that make up the buildings!  This is one of the largest and most complex architectural pieces we have had from Al in several years.  Al’s architectural pieces are among his most iconic works!