Hopi-Tewa Small Polychrome Jar with Grand Canyon Label [SOLD]

Hopi-Tewa small jars are typical of wares made in 1905 and 1907 when Nampeyo of Hano spent summers at the Grand Canyon. Of course, all small jars cannot be attributed to Nampeyo but, if old enough, should be examined closely to see if there are reasons to think a jar might have been made by her.

This small jar has several elements which one can cite as having been seen on pottery by Nampeyo in these early 1900s dates. For starters, there is a label attached to the undecorated area of the body of this jar that reads "Grand Canyon". It is documented that the Fred Harvey Company, who sponsored Nampeyo at the Grand Canyon, often pasted such labels on pottery made by her.

A second item to be considered is the pair of back-to-back dark brown clouds, each of which is emitting rain. This symbol, used in different patterns, has been documented on pottery attributed to Nampeyo. Additionally, small areas of spackled pigment, applied by tapping the area with the end of the paint brush, is certainly identified with use by Nampeyo.

A design that I do not recall seeing on documented or suspected works by Nampeyo is the clear "sock" outlined in black pigment. Another unusual area of design, not known by me to be a Nampeyo trait, is the pair of black-outlined triangles suspended from the upper framing line that have been covered with a pigment with a sandy texture.

One must weigh the known and not known elements of design on pottery by Nampeyo. Only then, can one be comfortable making an attribution to her as the potter of a vessel. We think there are clues that this jar could have been made by Nampeyo between 1905-1907 when she spent the summers working at The Hopi House at the Grand Canyon. Additionally, there are reasons to doubt that she made it. Others may agree or disagree with either assessment, and that is the way it should be. An unsigned pottery must be studied, and facts weighed before determining its past maker.

Condition: minor slip crack on lower section that does not penetrate the clay body

Provenance: this Hopi-Tewa Small Polychrome Jar with Grand Canyon Label is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Reference: and Recommended Reading: Nampeyo, Hopi Potter: Her Artistry And Her Legacy by John Collins

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, Fannie Polacca Nampeyo, Nellie Nampeyo Douma, Annie Healing Nampeyo, Nampeyo of Hano, Hopi-Tewa Potter and Matriarch, pottery