Jeddito Clay Large Seed Jar by Mark Tahbo

This beautiful seed jar was made by notable Hopi-Tewa potter Mark Tahbo. It was made in 2001, using clay from the Jeddito area of the Hopi Mesas. There is no design and no slip, only the stone-polished natural clay. The artist chose to highlight the beauty of the vessel shape and let it stand alone without potentially distracting designs.

Prehistoric Jeddito Yellow Ware is a type of pottery that was made exclusively at the Hopi Mesas in northern Arizona, circa 1300, and widely traded throughout the Southwest. Vessels of this type are celebrated for their beauty of form, elaborate designs, and the clear, bright yellow tones of the vessel surfaces. Tahbo wisely chose to experiment with Jeddito clay, resulting in this gorgeous jar. Tahbo has been widely recognized as a master potter, and the technical perfection of this piece reminds us that he is deserving of such high praise.

The bottom of the jar is signed with Tahbo's Tobacco Clan signature and is dated (actually etched into the signature) 2001.

Mark Tahbo (1958-2017) was a Hopi-Tewa potter and a member of the Tobacco Clan. He began potting actively in 1978. He came from a long line of outstanding potters, the most famous of whom was his great-grandmother Grace Chapella. Grace Chapella, of course, is famous for living to 106 years and continuing to make pottery past her 100th birthday. His siblings were potters too. Mark made extremely thin-walled vessels and polished them to perfection. His designs were executed with remarkable precision. Because of his fine workmanship, he received numerous awards at the Heard Museum Annual Indian Fair and the annual Santa Fe Indian Market. In 1991, he won the Overall Prize at Indian Market. In 1992 he was awarded Best of Division at the Heard Museum Indian Fair. Awards continued to be presented to him throughout the rest of his career. Mark passed away on December 22, 2017.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Jeddito Clay Large Seed Jar by Mark Tahbo is from the estate of a Santa Fe resident

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

TAGS: Hopi-Tewa, Grace Chapella, Hopi Pueblo, Alma Tahbo, Pueblo Pottery, Nampeyo of Hano, Mark Tahbo