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This is an Authentic Vintage Cherokee Blackware Pottery Bowl – "Trail of Tears Footprints" by the Bigmeat Family Approx. 2.5" Height x 3.5" Width

Beautiful, highly collectible piece of Native American art: an authentic hand-crafted blackware pottery bowl from the legendary Bigmeat family of Cherokee, North Carolina.

This piece is hand-signed on the bottom: "Trail of Tears Footprints, Bigmeat, Cherokee, N.C."

Design & Historical Significance:The shoulder of the bowl is intricately stamped/incised with a continuous pattern of small human footprints. This deeply moving motif serves as a poignant historical memorial to the Cherokee ancestors who endured the forced relocation of the 1830s, known as the Trail of Tears.

Traditional Craftsmanship:True to the ancient methods preserved by the Eastern Band of Cherokee potters, this vessel is completely hand-coiled and features a rich, glossy sheen achieved entirely by hand-polishing the raw clay with smooth river stones before firing. The deep, metallic-black charcoal finish is not a glaze or paint—it is the result of a traditional outdoor pit-firing (carbon reduction) process, giving the piece incredible depth and unique character.

Condition Report: Excellent vintage condition. No chips, cracks, or repairs. Minor natural surface variations from original pit-firing.

A quintessential addition to any collection of Southeastern Woodlands or Indigenous American folk art.

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