Although the graceful Sikyatki revival avian design is well painted, it can hardly be seen because of the poor firing that evenly smudged both the front and back of this shallow bowl. The bowl is badly cracked. The crack is more visible from the back than front.

The two holes in the bottom of the bowl indicate that this pot was used as part of a kachina outfit. Such plaques are called ‘atkahapi’ala and are used as weights at the end of the prayer feathers worn by Long-Haired Kachinas. The term translates as “down below hip bone” and indicates the placement of the weight on the Katchina (Wyckoff, 1985:170 and 187).

Purchase History:
Purchased on 4/19/06 on eBay from Dale Bruno, Sedona, AZ.