This is a 5 1/2-inch "Swish Bowl", so called because it contains a small piece of coral, turquoise or silver bead inside, whcih make a swishing sound when you twirl the pot. This is a unique concept of the famous potter, Barbara Gonzales, the great-granddaughter of the now legendary San Ildefonso potter, Maria Martinez. We acquired this pot in Barbara's Sunbeam Gallery on the San Ildefonso Pueblo the day after she completed it. It is modeled after the seed pots of the ancient Native Americans. What would normally be an open hole on top, is covered by a turquoise stone. The engravings contain the legendary water serpent on a spider web and the traditional eagle feathers accented by turquoise and coral stones. On the side is a spider, a symbol of good luck and Barbara's logo, accented by a coral stone which represents the female, while turquoise represents the male.
|