Hopi Sikyatki-style Polychrome Seed Jar [SOLD]

Nathan Begaye's heritage is Navajo and Hopi and he drew upon both in his work.  Some of his pottery is very Hopi in shape, style and design and others were designed with Navajo features.  This seed jar is of the Hopi Sikyatki style.

This low-shouldered seed jar is a form revived by Nampeyo (1860-1942) and has continued to be produced by generations of her family.  Sikyatki pottery originated around A.D. 1300, using clay that fired yellow or orange and painted designs favoring parrot, eagle and prayer feather images.

It is surmised that Begaye familiarized himself with the classic book by Jesse Walter Fewkes Designs on Prehistoric Hopi Pottery, based on the 1895 excavation of the village of Sikyatki.  Begaye certainly was also familiar with the pottery of Nampeyo.  It is probably from these two sources that his career as a Hopi potter emerged.

This seed jar is of the finest quality workmanship.  The vessel walls are as thin as anyone makes using Hopi clay.  The large amount of stone-polished red slip and designs outlined in white are reminiscent of much of the work of Annie Healing Nampeyo, oldest daughter of Nampeyo, who favored outlining designs in white.

Condition:  very good condition with only minor scratches and pits.

Provenance: a business card from Artie Yellowhorse, 7301 Central Ave. NE, Albuquerque notates that the jar was made about 1978.

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