This is a large early carved bowl by LuAnn Tafoya.  She is known for her highly polished traditional Santa Clara pottery.  This bowl is from the 1970s when she still signed her work, “Lula Tapia”.  The bowl is deeply carved with a water serpent (avanyu) as the design.  The style of carving and open shape of the bowl is certainly reminiscent of the work of the pottery of her mother, Margaret Tafoya.  The avanyu encircles the bowl with additional cloud and rain designs.  it is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Lula Tapia”.  It is in good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a piece of history in clay!