Quotskuyva, Dextra – “Reflecting from the Four Corners of the Earth” (1982)

5.5"w x 3"h

$ 4,400.00

This is a fascinating bowl by Dextra Quotskuyva.   It was made in 1982 and the title of the piece is, “Reflecting from the Four Corners of the Earth”.  The bowl is thin walled and made with two different Hopi clays. The early 1980’s were definitely a period of experimentation for Dextra. When the bowl is turned over, the two clays can be seen swirling together in the matte, unpolished surface.  It is also this unpolished surface which gives the bowl a distinctive texture when being held.  The top of the bowl is slipped with a white kaolin clay and then painted with bee-weed (black).  The intricate designs are perfectly painted.  The title of the reflections is perfectly represented in the design!   The bowl was traditionally fired so that there are blushes and color variations around the surface.  It is signed on the bottom with bee-weed, “Detra” with an ear of corn representing the Corn Clan.  Note as well that the base is polished in contrast to the sides which are matee.   The bowl is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Dextra has been the subject of a retrospective of her pottery at the Museum of Indian Art and Culture called, “Painted Perfection“.  This piece is pictured on page 39 of the book, “Painted Perfection”.