Hopi-Tewa Polychrome Seed Jar by Nampeyo [SOLD]

This visually charming turn-of-the-century Hopi-Tewa jar demonstrates in style and technique all the hallmarks of Nampeyo’s genius. The shape is derived from the bulbous shouldered saucer-shaped jars common to the prehistoric Sikyatki pottery tradition of the 15th and 16th centuries. Nampeyo favored, as illustrated in this vessel, a conical up-thrusting neck gracefully projecting from the jar’s body without seam or flexure.

The design composition is perfectly complementary to the sculptural form of the vessel. The heavy unbroken black encircling upper body band separates the neck of the jar from its mid body. A single framing line just below the wide upper body band sets the parameter for laying out the design. The combination of avian designs and geometric elements points to the aesthetic of the designs of Nampeyo from 1900 through 1910.

The jar was fired in a coal-burning atmosphere, contributing the ivory toned color to the jar’s surface and the polished inner lip of the rim. Such jars were featured prominently at the Fred Harvey Hopi House at the Grand Canyon. 

This jar was sold to the current owners by Adobe Gallery in 1997, at which time it was shown to Santa Fe dealer, Robert Ashton, the most authoritative expert on the works of Nampeyo of Hano, and to Barbara Kramer, author of the book, Nampeyo and Her Pottery.  Both of these experts stated that it was the work of Nampeyo around 1905.  It was recently shown to another Nampeyo expert in Santa Fe who agreed with these assessments.  If it’s worth anything, I agree too.

Condition: structurally in excellent condition.  There is some weakness of design on about 1/3^rd of the jar.  There are two nicks in the clay where it appears a small rock might have migrated to the surface and was expelled from the clay.

Provenance:  from the collection of a family in Colorado who purchased it from Adobe Gallery in 1997

Recommended Reading:   Nampeyo and Her Pottery by Barbara Kramer