Early Hopi Small Seed Jar with Black and White Design [R]

This small Hopi Pueblo seed jar is rather primitive in construction and paint application, traits that add greatly to its charm.  The first impression, on seeing the white painted design, was to suggest that it was made by Annie Healing, but Annie was too sophisticated in pottery production to make an item with the looseness of design of this one. 

The design that appears as two outstretched arms with a white-painted triangle in their center, is certainly a Sikyatki-derived design, one reintroduced by Nampeyo during her career.  Also, the small white-outlined circle with a tail dangling down that is appended to the white triangle, is a Sikyatki design.  Nampeyo and Annie both used these designs in their pottery but it would be difficult to say with assurance that one of them made this jar. 

Every pottery vessel does not need to be assigned to a specific maker for one to appreciate its beauty. This wonderful small seed jar has its own place in the pantheon of early pueblo pottery. The maker's name may have been forgotten long ago but her beautiful artistry is greatly revered and appreciated.

Condition: a small chip on the rim has been restored but a lateral/vertical crack on the mid body has not been repaired.

Recommended Reading: Hopi Pottery Symbols by Alex Patterson.

Provenance: this Early Hopi Small Seed Jar with Black and White Design is from a Colorado collection