Hopi Polychrome Seed Jar with Red Rim [R]

Priscilla interpreted the eagle tail design differently on this jar.  The eagle tail design is based on Sikyatki prehistoric designs which were brought back and interpreted by Nampeyo of Hano, Priscilla’s great grandmother.  Priscilla, in this jar, stayed to tradition in painting the area around the rim with a red square box and she continued by attaching small square boxes to the four edges of the red square, then she fanned out the design into a wide element filled with stippling in lieu of feathers.

Priscilla Namingha Nampeyo (1924-2008) was one of the finest of the Nampeyo family members of pottery fame.  She made some magnificent very large jars and she created new designs or modified traditional designs to her tastes.  She was a third-generation descendant of Nampeyo of Hano. Her mother was Rachel Namingha Nampeyo and her grandmother was Annie Healing Nampeyo. She continued using the Sikyatki revival designs taught to her by Nampeyo of Hano. She was an outstanding potter and her designs were always beautifully executed.

This jar is significant because it demonstrates Priscilla’s drive to be creative rather than copy the same popular designs over and over.  As an artist, she was not content to produce just to produce, but she endeavored to be creative for her own benefit.  Her concern to be an artist benefitted the collector as well.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from a Santa Fe long-time resident

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