Nampeyo, Carla Claw – Jar with Hummingbird Moth and Rain Designs

2.75"w x 3'h

$ 115.00

Carla Claw Nampeyo is a daughter of noted potter Thomas Polacca and a niece of Fannie Nampeyo. She is also a great-granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano. Her brother is Gary Polacca and she is married to Raul Claw (Navajo).  She is known for her incised and carved pottery and the use of slips that give the appearance of wood to the surface of her pottery. This is one of her traditional vessels.  The jar is painted with a hummingbird moth on one side.  The remainder has feather, plant, and rain designs.  It is signed on the bottom, “Carla Nampeyo”.

“Did you know?  This design is usually called a “hummingbird” pattern. However, in reality, it is most likely the depiction of a hawk or “hummingbird” moth (Manduca quinquemaculata), which has a flexible proboscis.  The figure above the large eye represents the feathery antennae of the hawk moth.  The plant to the right is a datura on which the hawk moth feeds.”