Hopi-Tewa Seed Jar by Nampeyo of Hano, circa 1905 [SOLD]

This small yet visually charming turn-of-the-century Hopi-Tewa jar demonstrates in style and technique all the hallmarks of Nampeyo’s genius. The shape is derived from the bulbous shouldered saucer shaped jars common to the prehistoric Sikyatki pottery tradition of the 15^th and 16^th centuries. Nampeyo favored, as illustrated in this vessel, a conical up-thrusting neck gracefully projecting from the jar’s body without seam or flexure.

The design composition is perfectly complementary to the sculptural form of the vessel. The heavy unbroken black encircling upper and lower body bands separate the design of the jar from its undecorated areas. Enclosed within these framing lines are simple and elegant abstracted bird forms. These abstracted bird parts are a characteristic motif of Nampeyo’s early revival compositions.

The jar was fired in a coal-burning atmosphere, contributing the ivory toned color to the jar’s surface and the polished inner lip of the rim. Such jars were featured prominently at the Fred Harvey Hopi House at the Grand Canyon.

The jar is in excellent condition.