Koopee, Jacob – Bowl with Migration Pattern (2004)

9.5"w x 6.5"h

$ 4,800.00

This bowl by Jacob Koopee is from 2004. This jar I originally purchased from Jake and now it has come back to the gallery!  First about the color. The jar is made with the red Hopi clay and it is almost a brown coloration from the firing!  The rim and various other areas have the purple or mauve colored clay slip that he started to use on his pottery.  The design is a migration pattern with the bird wings but note how he modified it.  The rim has the migration lines over a mauve clay.  The bird wings extend down from the top and up from the shoulder and are etched with small lines.  Separating them are the bird heads which are again painted with the mauve clay.  All the designs are outlined with a white clay slip.   The bottom has small hand designs which Jake cut out and would use the white clay to spray around the hands.  The impact of the hands and the birds is striking and the white clay has just a little texture!  The jar was traditionally fired to create the colorations.   The piece is signed on the bottom, “Koopee” and a flute player hallmark.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Jake won numerous awards during his career including “Best of Show” in 2005 at both Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Museum Market.  I was lucky to have been a pottery judge both years at both events, and it was exciting to see an artist create such dynamic work.