This is a spectacular architectural piece from Al Qoyawayma.  It is one of his 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.  In the last photo, you can see one of these pieces in process when Al was doing a demo at our Scottsdale gallery.  Beyond the technical, this large bowl has a very intricate designed Mesa Verde series of buildings. There are three tall towers in the background.  Two are square and one is round.  In the front are two kivas that are deeply recessed into the clay.  All the “bricks” are etched into the clay and then slipped with clay for coloration.  Note in the front of the two kivas how fully designed the space is with all the bricks!  The kivas are round ceremonial rooms built into the ground.  The two here are missing their roofs.  Al has also made small wooden vigas that are added to the piece after the firing. The bowl itself is vertically polished in an “onion skin” style of historical pottery.    The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Al Qoyawayma 1992”.  It’s in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.   Al’s architectural pieces are among his most iconic works!