Nampeyo, Leah Garcia – Water Jar with Migration Pattern with 20 Bird Wings (1960’s)

6.5"w x 4.75"h

$ 800.00

Leah Garcia Nampeyo was a daughter of noted potter Fannie Nampeyo.  This jar is a classic shape with a round shoulder and a slightly turned-out rim. The jar is fully polished and then painted with bee-weed and red clay.  The jar has the classic migration pattern that is painted around the body of the piece.  This is a design that was made famous by Leah’s grandmother, Nampeyo of Hano.  The imagery of the migration pattern has a series of bird wings and thin lines. There are ten wings above the shoulder and ten below, for a total of 20.  The jar was traditionally fired, so there are blushes and fireclouds around the surface, which add to the overall appearance of the jar.  It is signed on the bottom, “Leah Nampeyo”.   It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Surprisingly, I didn’t realize how few pieces of her work we have had over the years.  I looked back and since 2000 we have had less than ten pieces come through the gallery!