Youvella, Wallace – Red Bowl with Big Horn Sheep (1976-9)

2.75"w x 2.5"h

$ 350.00

This is an intricately etched red seed bowl by Wallace Youvella.  He was the husband of noted Hopi-Tewa potter Iris Nampeyo  It is fully polished red and the design is both carved and etched into the surface. There is a single medallion carved with a Big Horn Sheep.  The area surrounding the sheep is textured into the clay.  The Sheep is lightly etched with additional designs.  Surrounding the central medallion are cloud, rain, and feather designs.  The piece was made between 1976-9.  Wallace was one of the first three men at Hopi in the mid-1970’s to begin making pottery (the others were Mark Tahbo and Thomas Polacca).  Interestingly, Thomas and Wallace (who were brothers-in-law) both started with traditional Hopi-Tewa designs but met resistance from the women potters, so began making pieces that were either fully polished and etched or carved.  This piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Wallace Youvella”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.