Very Large Hopi Polychrome Seed Jar [SOLD]

This very large Hopi Pueblo seed jar was made by Debbie Clashin, a potter we met through Hopi potter Mark Tahbo.  Mark’s mother and Debbie’s mother were sisters.  Debbie credits Mark’s sister, Diana Tahbo, with teaching her how to become a potter and now Debbie produces amazing large Hopi seed jars.  This jar is over a foot in diameter.

The vessel shape is reminiscent of prehistoric Sikyatki jars familiar to us today because of their reintroduction by Nampeyo of Hano.  This jar is wide with an almost flat top.  Debbie explained that after passing the widest point in the jar, one coil of clay is added and then allowed to settle and dry a little before another coil can be added.  If not done in that slow manner, the top would collapse from the weight of wet clay.  The jar is beautifully thin walled.

The design is reminiscent of Sikyatki revival jars with a square element surrounding the round opening.  Groups of feathers suspend from each of the 4 square panels.  Debbie used a splatter technique on the area below the square design.

Condition: new

Provenance: from the artist

Recommended Reading: Designs on Prehistoric Hopi Pottery by Jesse Walter Fewkes