FEWKEs] ORNAMENTATION OF LITTLE COLORADO POTTERY 



83 



generally perching on his ear, and whispering her promptings from 

 that position. She assumes several roles and is designated hy many 

 attributal names. She is sometimes called "creator," but is an 

 earth goddess or mother rather than an artificer of nature. 



Geometrical Designs 



The wealtli of geometrical "rnaiiieiitation (plates xxviii, xxix) in 

 Pueblo potter}- decoration lias attracted the attention of many stu- 



Fin. 38. Three lines of life. Design on food liowl from Chevlon (number 156138) 



dents, and a large literature has accumulated on that subject. This 

 form of decoration is the simplest in motive, the most widelj^ spread over 

 the pueblo area, and also probably the most ancient. Its relations to 

 decoration of textile art products are pointed out bj^ several writers, 

 and there are many evidences of the evolution of complicated geo- 

 metrical figures from simple forms. There are also evidences of their 

 origin by conventionalization of more elaborate patterns through 

 symbolism. 



The design on the food basin shown in figure 38 is unique and highly 

 instructive in one important feature. Kncircling bands or lines on 

 specimens of ancient pottery are ordinarily brolieu at one point, as 



