Hopi-Tewa Very Large Polychrome Seed Jar [SOLD]

Grace Chapella was born in the Tewa village of Hano at First Mesa on the Hopi Reservation in 1874, eight years before the Reservation was established as such, and before Custer's Last Stand at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.  She witnessed the first "horseless carriage" arrive on the Reservation and recalled how frightening it was.  In 1927, she became the first person from the Hopi Reservation to fly in an airplane, going from Grand Canyon to Long Beach for a pottery demonstration.

Having lived for over a century—she passed away at age 107—Chapella (pronounced Tsepela) witnessed many changes in her life at Hopi where she lived.  She was a youngster at a time before trading posts and tourists were introduced to the reservation and lived to see both flourish and the demand for pottery grow at leaps and bounds.  Although her pottery, and that of others at First Mesa, is referred to as Hopi pottery, technically it is Hopi-Tewa pottery as the residents of Hano Village at First Mesa are Tewa-speaking Indians originally from New Mexico.

This large seed jar is decorated with traditional Sikyatki moth or butterfly designs, for which she became most famous.  Additionally, she added other identifiable features: the three triangular items painted black, red and stippled represent the three Hopi Mesas.  The star-like elements represent corn fields and the area in which they are enclosed represents rain.

Grace Chapella was a neighbor of Nampeyo of Hano, who was 14 years her senior, and credits Nampeyo with teaching her the techniques of pottery making.

The butterfly or moth is now considered as belonging to the Chapella family.  Her daughter Alma Tahbo, granddaughter Deanna Tahbo, and great-grandson Mark Tahbo have continued to use it on their pottery.

Condition:  This jar is in wonderful condition.  There are a few scratches here and there but nothing of significance.

Provenance:  from a client to whom we previously sold this jar

Recommended Reading:  Hopi Traditions in Pottery and Painting Honoring Grace Chapella, Potter, Masters Gallery, Alhambra, CA, February 25-April 3, 1977