Frog Woman Hopi-Tewa Tall Cylindrical Jar [SOLD]

Frank Applegate conducted classes in the Hopi villages in 1922 at the request of the Indian Commission. It is quite possible that he re-introduced this shape to the Hopi potters at that time. The shape does have precedence from prehistoric times.

Recent studies of excavated prehistoric sites at Chaco Canyon have revealed specimens of cylindrical jars. Anthropologist Patricia Crown, from the University of New Mexico, and a colleague from the Hershey Center for Health and Nutrition, analyzed potsherds and found traces of a compound of cacao. From their research, they concluded that the cylindrical jars were used to hold chocolate in beverage form. Only a couple hundred complete jars have been found and most of them came from Pueblo Bonito, but many shards that would fit a cylindrical jar shape have been unearthed.

Many of this 20th century style cylindrical jars were sold by the Fred Harvey Company at its hotels and gift shops, particularly at The Grand Canyon. It is still likely that the re-introduction of them at Hopi Pueblo was not for drinking chocolate beverages but for selling to collectors and tourists.

In checking past pottery inventory by Paqua Naha (1890-1955) Original Frog Woman, I have not found that we ever had a cylinder made by her.  I do not know if she made them on a regular basis or made them rarely but this one is certainly one of her creations.  It is signed with her frog signature.  It features a pair of face-to-face birds on one side and again on the opposite side.

Condition:  very good condition with minor paint abrasion

Provenance: from a resident of New Mexico

Recommended Reading: Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Schaaf