Namingha, Les – “Pueblo Series” Kolowisi and Dragonfly Jar (2018)

6.25"w x 7.75"h

$ 2,400.00

This jar is part of the “Pueblo Series” by Les Namingha.  The “Pueblo Series” focused on universal design similarities among various Pueblo pottery. As Les is both Zuni and Hopi-Tewa, he has a lot of cultural imagery to pull from for this body of work.  Les says of this piece:

“I’m using the avanyu as a theme for a small collection of pots. This jar has a Zuni style representation of “Kolowisi” or rather, my interpretation of the water serpent. They are part of my “Pueblo Jar series” that I started recently. This series interprets or incorporates elements from other Pueblos outside of my Zuni and Tewa-Hopi influenced work.  My focus is on finding similarities in design elements across all Pueblo communities.”

The jar is a taller shape with a very slightly turned-out rim.  The jar has a stylized kolowisi or feathered water serpent, encircling the piece.  In addition, there is a small dragonfly.  In Zuni culture, the dragonfly is significant as a prayer messenger. There is additional banding of designs and color.  The jar is painted with acrylic, as with all of Les’s pottery.  It is a wonderfully painted and dramatic jar.   It is signed on the bottom.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.