Hopi Polychrome Seed Jar with Bird Design [R]

This visually charming Hopi-Tewa jar demonstrates in style and technique all the hallmarks of a circa 1920s product. The shape is derived from the bulbous shouldered saucer shaped jars common to the prehistoric Sikyatki pottery tradition of the 15th and 16th centuries. The vessel has 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 body band separates the neck of the jar from its mid body. Interestingly, a thin black framing line just below the wide framing line of the neck does feature a ceremonial line break.  The framing line at the mid body does not have a ceremonial line break.

The avian designs and geometric elements point to the aesthetic of an outstanding potter and painter, whose identity will remain a mystery.

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.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of Dr. Allan Cooke, co-author of the book Canvas of Clay: Seven Centuries of Hopi Ceramic Art who purchased it from Santa Fe dealer and collector Richard M. Howard in 1997.

Recommended Reading:  Canvas of Clay: Seven Centuries of Hopi Ceramic Art by Edwin L. Wade and Allan R. Cooke