Naha, Sylvia – Jar with Shard and Frog Designs (1980s)

4.5"w x 4.25"h

$ 1,200.00

This jar is an intricately painted piece by Sylvia Naha.  She was a daughter of Helen “Featherwoman” Naha and a sister of Rainy and Burell Naha.  She was known for her distinctive pieces painted with intricate designs on a white polished clay surface.  Throughout the 1980s, Sylvia was considered among the most innovative of the Hopi potters.  Her pieces were classic in form and amazingly intricate in design.  This jar has a low shoulder and sloping sides.  There are two large frogs painted as the main designs.  Their bodies are made up of various Hopi-Tewa pottery shard designs.  There are sun, bear paw, Awatovi star, and other designs.  Each is different.  As the piece is turned, there are large sections painted with very intricate hatchwork designs. These sections are taken from her mother’s classic style of bird migration jars.  The background has been stippled with bee-weed to create a brown coloration.  All the other colors are from various clays. The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  The jar is signed on the bottom with a feather and an “S”.  It is certainly an extraordinary piece by his exceptional Hopi-Tewa potter!