Native American, southwest corner of New Mexico, Mogollon Classic Mimbres, ca. 1100 to 1350 CE. An early Mimbres black-on-white vessel of ovoid form created via the coil-and-scrape method and intricately painted on the interior with a wide band of abstract geometric motifs that extends approximately 2/3 of the way into the bowl. Fine lines and relatively complex painted compositions, this example featuring wonderful lightning and Greek key motifs, distinguish Mimbres pottery from earlier Mangas black-on-white vessels. Size: 12" L (30.5 cm)

According to Hayes and Blom, "Where a large percentage of other prehistoric pottery was traded widely and shows little evidence of involvement in ceremony or burial, Mimbres Classic Black-on-white was closely held and mysterious." (Allan Hayes and John Blom, Southwestern Pottery Anasazi to Zuni, Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing Co, 1996, p. 30). Note the kill hole through the base of this bowl. According to anthropologists, the Mimbres peoples would invert a bowl over the face of the deceased and punch a ceremonial "kill hole" through the bottom. The Mogollon developed Mimbres Classic characterized by impressive precision and a flare for design that made Mimbres Classic among the most treasured of Native American ceramics.

Provenance: Private Reinsmoen collection, Clear Lake, Iowa, acquired through descent from Robert Anderson, acquired prior to 2000

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#184957

Intact and quite excellent save large intentional "kill hole" in base. Small areas of paint flaking but a superb example!