Namingha, Les – Wide Jar with Hopi Birds and Swirls (2013)

8.5"w x 4"h

$ 2,800.00

This is a traditional Hopi-Tewa jar by Les Namingha.  The jar is a wide shape, which is inspired by the ancient Sikytaki pottery as well as Nampeyo of Hano.  The design is painted on the top with the black bee-weed as well as several different colors of red and tan clay slips. The designs on the jar are a series of Hopi birds.  Two of the larger panels have birds and bird tails.  The other two sections have the swirling birds with a pointillism use of red and black surrounding them.  The side of the jar has an alternating rain and eternity band.  The design around the rim is both angular and one that seems to easily identify the jar as one by Les.   The blushes on the surface are from the firing.  The jar is from 2013 and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.   Les is a descendant of Nampeyo and learned to make pottery from his aunt Dextra Quotskuyva.  It is signed on the bottom., “Les Namingha”.