Native American Fine Art and Jewelry

Santo Domingo (Kewa) Vintage Bowl by Alvina Garcia

$295

Artist: Alvina Garcia
Style: Bowl
Pueblo: Santo Domingo, NM (Kewa)
Period: Vintage (1960-1990)
Dimensions: 8.25” D x 3.25” H
Materials: Santo Domingo Clay, Natural Slip, and Vegetal & Mineral Pigments
Item: #4052

In stock

Description

Traditional handmade Native American Indian Pottery from Indigenous Pueblos of the Southwest. Guaranteed authentic. Good vintage condition.

Defined by its commanding, high-contrast presence, this vintage hand-coiled open bowl by recognized potter Alvina Garcia serves as a stunning testament to the enduring traditions of Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo. Kewa pottery is highly celebrated for its sturdy, well-proportioned forms and its visually striking surface designs, which typically feature deep black and rich terracotta-red pigments over a soft cream or buff slip. Formed entirely by hand using ancient coiling methods without a potter’s wheel, this beautifully rounded, open vessel serves as a wonderful canvas for classic Pueblo motifs. Kewa designs frequently incorporate sweeping floral elements, stylized birds, or strong geometric patterns that speak to the agricultural roots and deep connection to the land inherent in the community.

The materials used to create this vessel are entirely gathered from the earth. The distinctive black paint is traditionally derived from the guaco plant (Rocky Mountain bee-weed), which is boiled down for days into a thick resin and applied with a handmade yucca frond brush. Fired outdoors in a traditional pit firing process, this vintage bowl features the subtle, organic variations and warm character that make historic Native American pottery so captivating. Carrying the gentle patina of time, it is an excellent, highly collectible piece that brings the rich artistic heritage of Kewa Pueblo to any curated collection.

About The Artist

lvina Garcia is a respected potter from Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo, a New Mexico community renowned for its strong adherence to traditional pottery-making techniques and its distinctively bold, graphic aesthetic. Like many Kewa ceramicists, Garcia learned the demanding, labor-intensive process of hand-gathering local clay, coiling, and natural pigment painting through familial teachings, ensuring that ancestral knowledge is carried forward to the next generation.

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Pueblo

The Santo Domingo Pueblo, located in northern New Mexico, is known for its rich cultural heritage and artistry, particularly its pottery. The Pueblo, also called Kewa, has a long tradition of pottery-making that dates back over a thousand years. Santo Domingo pottery is renowned for its distinctive style, featuring intricate geometric designs and vibrant, contrasting colors, often created using natural pigments. Artists traditionally use local clay, which is hand-coiled and carefully fired in outdoor kilns.

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