Sunn, Mabel – White Bowl with Frogs (1950’s)

This is an iconic bowl by Mabel Sunn from the 1950s. The piece is made using a paddle-and-anvil technique and twice fired.  The black designs are derived from a mixture of mesquite sap and cactus spines.  Today, there are very few Maricopa artists making pottery.   Mabel was well-known for the relief snakes and frogs on her pottery. This bowl is unusual as it is white on the outside and red on the inside.  The interior is also polished.  The two frogs are in relief, peering over the rim.  They are charming in style and the raised line on their backs is unusual!  separating them are mountain designs.  The bowl was traditionally fired, creating the color variations on the surface from the smoke.  The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay, ‘M. Sunn”.   It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.