Every once in awhile a really special completely original Mesa Verde bowl comes along - this is one of those. Measuring a large 12.2 inches wide and 5.75 inches deep, it exhibits a typical light gray slip with atypical jet black paint - there is no restoration or addition of paint. The interior design has two large bands; the upper one a Mesa Verde diamond pattern each having two interlocked stepped elements. The lower band has lines that generally run in a forty-five degree pattern. A key element of the Mesa Verde bowls is the ticking marks on the rim; there are four sets of three ticks each. At the bottom center of the bowl there is a raised dimple (see indentation photo of the exterior bottom) also a characteristic of Mesa Verde bowls.

The edge of the bowl was struck causing one piece to become dislodged. It has been glued back in and just below it is a fine crack that runs toward the center.