Rainy Naha took her inspiration for this wide shoulder jar from a Sikyatki polychrome vessel from 1550-1600. The jar was featured in Edwin Wade’s seminal book, “Canvas of Clay”.  Interestingly, Wade spoke with several Hopi educators to identify the designs on the surface.  The triangular designs are the “Shakako” cloud pyramids.  The more complex panels separating the clouds for Rainy are inspired by various designs used by Nampeyo of Hano and her mother, Helen “Feather Woman” Naha.  They are a variation of the classic eagle tail design.  The designs are layered on top of one on top of the other so as to identify the world of the eagle from sky to earth.  The jar itself is painted with natural clay slips to achieve the various colors.  The black is derived from bee-weed (a plant).  The jar has been traditionally fired which results in a very pearlescent coloration to the white.  It is signed on the bottom with a feather and Rainy’s name.  It is exciting how she has used both ancient designs and more modern motifs of the Hopi-Tewa matriarchs as the foundation for this striking jar!