Hopi Black-on-red Pottery Stirrup Container [SOLD]

Nampeyo of Hano, Hopi Pueblo, was probably the finest pueblo potter of all times.  She was skilled in construction of vessels, she mastered the techniques of scraping and surface finishing, she had an artist’s eye for vessel shapes and she excelled in design creation and application.  She did all of this at a time when pueblo pottery was not even considered collectible—1880 to 1910, long before Native Art was appreciated.

It was through the efforts of Thomas Keam and the Hubbell traders that her name became known to the outside world.  Also credit must be given to the Fred Harvey Company who housed her and her family in the Hopi House at the Grand Canyon in summer seasons of 1905 and 1907.  It was through these gentlemen’s recognition that she was a master potter that her name became known to others and deservedly so.

Nampeyo created all shapes and sizes of pottery during her career.  Why would she make a stirrup-shape vessel like this one?  Was it meant to be for candles?  Was it for holding a liquid?  Perhaps it was just a creative moment and something to divert her attention from the large jar she was working on at the time.  At any rate, it is a wonderful example of a small unusual piece by a genius potter.

Nampeyo painted several red slip jars around 1904 to 1910.  On this vessel, the red slip covers the entire surface and the complete piece was stone polished.  The black design is different on each of the end pieces as well as on the bottom of the arch. 

Condition: very good condition with only minor chips on the end and handle but nothing of significance.

Recommended Reading: Canvas of Clay: Seven Centuries of Hopi Ceramic Art by Wade and Cooke

Provenance: brought to us by a client from Colorado