Nampeyo, Elvira & Marty Naha – Jar with Deer Katsina and Tewa Sun

Elvira Polacca Naha Nampeyo (b. 1968) and Marty Naha (b. 1970) began making pottery together in 1990.  Elvira is a granddaughter of Fannie Nampeyo, a daughter of Thomas Polacca, and a sister of Gary Nampeyo and Carla Claw.  They both learned to make pottery from Thomas Polacca.  This jar is coil-built and carved.  One side has a Deer Katsina surrounded by deer tracks.  The opposite side has a Tewa rising sun.  The designs are deeply carved into the clay, and the background area is also fully incised.  It is painted with clay slips and one are has the classic coloration to look like wood.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Marty + Elvira Naha Nampeyo”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.