Hopi Burnished Clay Seed Jar with Ear of Corn [SOLD]

Iris Youvella Nampeyo is a daughter of Fannie Nampeyo and granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano, who is known for her sculptural design pottery that she has mastered to the finest detail.  This style of sculpture was first made by Elizabeth White - Polingaysi and further refined by her nephew, Al Colton - Qöyawayma.

Colton has evolved from the simple corn design to carving cliff dwellings on his pots.  Iris has mostly stayed with designing simple corn stalks or ears of corn.  It is the simplicity of her work that makes it so elegant.  She does not apply a slip to the surface but simply polishes the natural clay from which the jar was made.  The corn plant is generally left in a matte state, as in this jar. The corn husk is peeled back revealing the ear of corn.

The jar is signed Iris Y. Nampeyo into the clay.

Condition: original condition

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

Provenance: from an Albuquerque family collection