This is a double melon or “gourd” bowl by Russell Sanchez.  The shape is a very traditional form with a round body.  The top of the bowl has 16 melon rib indentions which are rounded out.  They are meant to have an organic appearance.  The bottom of the bowl has 16 more ribs!  The side of the bowl is slipped with mica and incised with a checkerboard pattern. He has inset hematite dots in between the rectangular checkerboard.  This style of design is often seen on historic San Ildefonso pottery from the early 1900’s.  The bowl was fired to a high temperature to create a nearly gunmetal silvery appearance.  The lid is fully polished with another single piece of hematite on the top. He also inlaid two band of hei-shi beads around the sides of the bowl.  The silvery black surface and the hematite create a very modernistic appearance on this traditional style of bowl.  It is fascinating how Russell has gone back to revive old style and create their modern versions.  He continues to creatively revive historic San Ildefonso designs with his innovative style of pottery.  The bottom of the bowl has the classic indention of traditional San Ildefonso water jars.  Russell uses these historic elements to keep them alive on his contemporary pottery.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, ‘Russell”.

Click here to read: Russell Sanchez: Contemporizing the Pueblo Pottery Past