Earthenware Bowls Appraisal

Set of Three Mexican Terracotta Handled Bowls

This set consists of three earthenware bowls, likely crafted from terracotta, each featuring a single handle. The bowls are of varying sizes, approximately six, eight, and ten inches in diameter, as suggested by the provided context, and are designed for functionality, possibly for serving or cooking individual portions. The primary color of the terracotta is a warm reddish-brown, characteristic of traditional Mexican pottery. Each bowl's interior is adorned with vibrant hand-painted abstract designs using a palette of white, light blue, dark blue, green, and black. These designs consist of wavy lines, dashes, and hatched patterns, applied with a freehand technique, suggesting an artisanal creation. The handles on each bowl are also decorated with similar linear patterns in a striped fashion, integrating them visually with the main body of the bowls. A notable feature is the white speckled or dotted rim on the largest bowl and a lighter, possibly off-white, interior base on all three, over which the colorful designs are painted, providing contrast against the darker terracotta. The craftsmanship appears to be rustic and folk-art inspired, indicative of traditional pottery techniques rather than mass production. While no specific maker's marks or signatures are visible in the images, the style strongly suggests a Mexican origin, likely dating from the mid to late 20th century, given the commonality of such decorative earthenware in the region. There are no immediately apparent significant condition issues such as cracks or chips visible from the provided angles, but minor wear consistent with age and use, like slight paint loss or surface abrasions, would be expected on such pieces.