Native American, Southwestern United States, Dine (Navajo) culture, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A ceremonial hand-coiled shallow bowl that was traditionally given as a wedding gift, made from sumac or willow coils and stitched with strips of yucca, dyed in hues of red and black. The pointed star pattern and the outer rim with a "false braid" finish, are characteristic of Navajo and symbolic of creation stories - note the break in the central pattern- known as a sipapu (shipapu)- forming a path from the outer rim and terminal coil into the center. The sipapu path is the connection between past and present peoples, and the bowl should be orientated with the path facing to the east, towards the rising sun. Size: 12.5" Diameter x 2" H (31.8 cm x 5.1 cm)

Before the turn of the 20th century, woven and coiled basketry making was not a crucial part of Navajo culture, and baskets and wedding bowls used by Navajo people were often acquired through trade with neighboring Ute and Paiute tribes. The sacred sipapu, comes from the Hopi word for an opening or indentation in the floor of a kiva, a ritualistic building. The sipapu represents a portal that their ancestors first emerged from - changing from lizard-like beings into humans, the Grand Canyon is the site of the original sipapu.

Provenance: private Alamo, California, USA collection, acquired in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA in 1993

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#180167

Earthen deposits and mineral encrustations within coils- possibly cornmeal. Cornmeal indicates "blessed" and ceremonial use. Intact and excellent.