Vintage Pine Ridge Sioux art pottery bowl with buffalos and dated 1937. The United States Bureau of Indian Affairs in the late 1920s and 1930s began a plan to initiate the idea of arts and crafts for Indians which would serve two purposes: an artist outlet and a source of income. William Roberts, the Superintendent of the Pine Ridge Reservation, and WO Nicholson, the Director of Educational Program, worked with Margaret Cable in 1937. Margaret Cable, the famous artist and potter from Grand Forks, North Dakota, was hired by the Indian Field Services and worked at the Pine Ridge Reservation for six months in 1937. The pottery was very productive and profitable during that time. Later, the pottery was produced primarily by three sisters of Sioux origin: Ella Irving (also known as Ella Woody during the 1930s and Ella Cox during the 1940s). The other two sisters were Olive Cottier and Bernice Talbot. The variety of pottery produced at Pine Ridge was great from scraffito ware and plain, milky glazes. All of the pottery was hand thrown, hand decorated and glazed. A true Arts & Crafts form! There are no cracks, hairlines or repairs with some tiny flakes off the rim.

 

 Bowl was found today at a local estate sale. It has some minor flaking along the rim as seen in the photos. No cracks. A couple of white specs in the bowl - may be original but unknown. please see all photos.

5 1/4 inches across at the top and 2 inches high.