This is a very traditionally inspired bowl by Ida Sahmie.  It is “Father Sky”, which is a design often seen in sandpaintings.  Ida said of this piece:

The top has a basket design and an entryway for the airway for the spirit to go out.  The central design is Father Sky, inspired by sand paintings.

The bowl is coil-built and fully polished.  It is then painted with various clay slips and bee-weed (black). Additional designs are etched into the clay.  It is amazing how Ida can painted with such precision on the inside of an open bowl!  The bowl was traditionally fired, and it is signed on the back, “Ida Sahmie.”  She is a daughter-in-law of Priscilla Nampeyo, and Ida continues to make beautifully formed pottery with wonderfully complex designs.  She has won numerous awards for her pottery at events such as Santa Fe Indian Market.  She is the only Navajo potter creating this unique style of ethnographic pottery.  The last photo is one we took of Ida holding the piece in her hands.

The story of Father Sky and Mother Earth, and the Dine people is as follows:

“The Navajo people, the Diné, passed through three different worlds before emerging into this world, The Fourth World, or Glittering World. The Diné believe there are two classes of beings: the Earth People and the Holy People. The Holy People are believed to have the power to aid or harm the Earth People. Since Earth People of the Diné are an integral part of the universe, they must do everything they can to maintain harmony or balance on Mother Earth.  It is believed that centuries ago the Holy People taught the Diné how to live the right way and to conduct their many acts of everyday life. They were taught to live in harmony with Mother Earth, Father Sky and the many other elements such as man, animals, plants, and insects.”