Nampeyo, Gary Polacca – 11″ Tall “Morning Prayer for a Long Life of Peace” (1990s)

This is a large, complex jar by Gary Polacca Nampeyo.  He is known for his deeply carved and etched pottery.   He is a son of Thomas Polacca,  a grandson of Fannie Nampeyo, and a great-grandson of Nampeyo of Hano. His sisters Carla Claw Nampeyo, and Elvira Nampeyo are both potters.  His early pottery was polished red and then fully incised with designs, and then he began carving pottery much like his father.  This tall jar is tall with an asymmetric opening. The jar is entitled, “Morning Prayer for a Long Life of Peace”.  It has two katsinas on one side, one with corn meal and one with a Hopi bowl.  As the jar is turned, there is a carved Hopi sun rising over the mesas.  The last section of the jar has carved ears of corn and traditional Hopi designs over the mesas.  On this jar, note the various levels of carving and their depth!  It is amazing the textures and detail he created on one piece.  It was painted with various clay slips.  The piece was traditionally fired to create the blushes on the surface.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “G. Nampeyo”.   It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

Brand

Polacca Nampeyo, Gary (b. 1955)

Gary Polacca is a son of Thomas Polacca and a grandson of Fannie Nampeyo and great-grandson of Nampeyo of Hano. His sisters Carla Claw Nampeyo and Elvira Nampeyo are both potters. Gary continues in a similar style of carved pottery to that of his father. His pottery can be found in museums such as the Museum of Indian Art and Culture in Santa Fe, NM.