Adobe Gallery Blog

Paqua Naha, whose first name translates to "frog," is known as Frog Woman. She was the first to carry this name. After she passed away, her daughter, Joy Navasie, became Frog Woman. Paqua worked mostly in "black and red on yellow," referring to black and red designs on yellow un-slipped pottery. It was she who developed the white pottery that is now the Frog Woman hallmark. She passed away about three years after developing this style and Joy continued producing it until she passed away last year.

These are three pottery creamers, all made and signed by Paqua. We are posting them together but they are available for purchase individually.

The one labeled B1 measures 3-3/4" tall x 3-3/4" diameter. It is in excellent condition with some abrasion to the painted design, but nothing of significance.

The one labeled B2 measures 3-7/8" tall x 3-1/8" diameter. It too is in excellent condition with only very minor abrasion to the brown paint.

The one labeled B3 measures 3-1/2" tall x 3" diameter. It also is in excellent condition with only very minor abrasion to the brown painted design.

All three are signed on the underside with the Paqua frog hallmark.

Provenance: from the collection of a gentleman in Colorado
Recommended Reading: Ray Manley's Collecting Southwestern Indian Arts & Crafts. This 1979 paperback book does not feature pottery by Paqua, probably because she was no longer living when it was published, but there is a good spread on her daughter, Joy Navasie.

Subject: Hopi Pottery Cream Pitchers
Artist / Potter: Paqua Naha (1890-1955) Frog Woman
Category: Contemporary
Origin: Hopi Pueblo
Medium: clay, pigment
Size: 4" tall x 3-1/2" diameter approximately
Item # C3354B