Les Namingha has, over the years, created exciting variations in his pottery with new painting and technical styles. This jar has a round body and an elongated neck. The opening has an oval opening.  Les has painted a series of intricately designed Sikyatki birds around the body of the jar.  Did you know that Sikyaki was near the base of First Mesa in Hopi and was active in making pottery from 1300-1600.  In 1895 Jesse Fewkes led a Smithsonian Institue funded excavation of the area.  It was the pottery from Sikyatki which inspired Nampeyo of Hano, and her descendants, such as Les Namingha.  On this jar, the yellow of background behind the birds is a reflection of the yellow ware of Sikyatki.  Look closely at the birds, and they are filled with traditional Hopi-Tewa designs.  The neck of the jar has a spiraling triangular cloud pattern.  Below the shoulder are horizontal lines representing the bands of the earth below the birds.  As is usual with Les’s pottery, it is filled with creative designs and thoughtful imagery that brings the past to the present.  Add to that the jar itself is a colorful and striking piece!  The jar is signed on the bottom, “Les Namingha”.