Naha, Rainy – Large Polychrome Jar with 10 Tumbling Birds (2015), Ribbon

9.5"w x 5'5"h

$ 3,300.00

This is an iconic large polychrome jar by Rainy Naha.  The jar is an elegant shape with a wide shoulder and sloping neck. The entire shoulder is painted with ten interlocking birds.  This design with the “interlocking” or “embracing” birds was originated by Rainy Naha.  The jar is fully polished with a white clay slip and then there are five sections of interlocking birds above and below the shoulder for a total of ten.  Each bird is painted with various Hopi-Tewa designs and then additional clay slips for the color. Each ends with large tail feathers that connect to the next bird.  Note the variety of designs in the birds with small hatchwork patterns and even four directional color sets.  Consider that on this piece nearly the entire surface is nearly painted from top to bottom!  Rainy uses bee-weed (black) and natural clay slips for her colors. The jar is traditionally fired so there are slight color variations on the surface.  Rainy learned to make pottery from her mother, Helen “Featherwoman” Naha.  The jar is signed on the bottom with the feather hallmark and “Rainy”.  It has a Second Place Ribbon from the 2015 Heard Indian Market.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.   Rainy has won numerous awards for her pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market and the Heard Market and her work continues to be a creative inspiration in Hopi-Tewa pottery.