Hopi Large Polychrome Jar with Sikyatki-inspired Design [SOLD]

Mark Tahbo is a most enthusiastic promotor of his own work.  He works hard at making the absolutely best pottery possible and then he is proud of his accomplishments as am I.  I know of few potters today who pour their whole heart into their work like Mark does.  We do not purchase items from living artists on a regular basis as our effort is spent on acquiring and selling historic pottery and paintings.  I asked Mark over a year ago to make a large jar for me as we only had smaller ones of his.  He agreed to do so.

The day before Santa Fe Indian Market, he brought me the large jar I had requested and here it is.  It was not without trepidation, however, as I had heard about his recent health issues and knew he was in the hospital only a few weeks before he came with this jar.  Obviously his health has improved sufficiently for him to finish this masterpiece.

It is a beautiful jar with great appeal.  The designs were inspired by Sikyatki pottery designs that Mark liked.  The design located between the two parrots is a design from Sikyatki wares and Mark believes it represents a katsina with a long beard and down-turned horns.  The parrots are from Sikyatki pottery and presented accurately.  The brown and red pigments are strong and dark and the firing was just perfect, leaving a beautiful orange blush to the surface.  This is a jar that Mark is justified in being proud.

Condition: new

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

Provenance: from the artist