Debbie Clashin has become one of the exciting leaders in Hopi-Tewa pottery over the past several years.  She is known for her large-sized traditional fired vessels.  This jar has a wide shoulder and a short neck.  The jar has four sections of design on the top. There are two sections with Awatovi birds surrounded by dragonflies, flying over a mesa design.  The other two sections are bird tail and bird wings.  It is Debbie’s version of the classic “eagle tail” design.  Again, they are surrounded by dragonflies.

.Did you know that Hopi-Tewa pottery takes inspiration from two historic sites.  Sikyatki was located at the base of First Mesa and made pottery from 1300-1600.  it was from the excavation at Sikyatki around 1895 that Nampeyo took inspiration for her designs.  Awatovi was south of First Mesa and pottery was made there from 1300 to 1700.  Awatovi was part of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 and was abandoned after that time.  However, it is the murals on the kiva walls of Awatovi that were excavated in the 1930s that are the source for much of the Navasie, Naha, and Tahbo family pottery.

On this jar, the Awatovi birds have orange-colored wings, and red slipped bodies, and are surrounded by dragonflies.  Below the shoulder are mesa and mountain designs with red and orange clay designs representing the sunset.  The jar was traditionally fired to a deep coloration.  The coloration is deep and dramatic, enhancing the painted designs.  It is signed on the bottom with her name and a pipe for his “Tobacco Clan”.