Hopi Small Jar with Stylized Bird Design [SOLD]

Birds are important to the ceremonial life of the Hopi.  They use feathers of birds in their dance costumes, feathers in their pahos (prayer sticks), and feathers in the ceremonial initiations of the young boys.  It is no wonder, then, that birds appear as design elements on pottery—particularly birds from Sikyatki prehistoric pottery and birds from the imagination of today’s potters.

It is not always obvious that a design is that of a bird.  Often, the bird is rather stylized as in this small jar.  The most obvious clue that this is a stylized bird design is the beak of the bird.  This small jar has two of these birds.

Condition: the small jar is in excellent condition

Provenance: this Hopi Small Jar with Stylized Bird Design is from the collection of a gentleman from Alexandria, Virginia

Recommended Reading: Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham