Koopee, Jacob – Wide Jar with Pottery Shard Designs (2001)

11"w x 4"h

$ 4,000.00

This is an amazing large jar bowl by Jacob Koopee.  Jake was known for his large pieces and his variations on traditional Hopi-Tewa designs.  This jar was one which I originally purchased from Jake for the gallery and sold and it has come back to the market.  The design is distinctive with sections of pottery shards.  The area around each incised around the design, as if the shard are lying on the surface.  Each shard is different, from a migration pattern to snow and black-on-red designs.  There are four prints on the top of the jar. The remainder is “splattered” with bee-weed (the black). I remember Jake saying that he wanted it to look like the shards were sitting in sand.  The jar is a striking example of his skill as both potter and painter.  It is traditionally fired and painted with bee weed (black) and natural clay slips.  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.