Nampeyo of Hano – Storage Jar with Bird Wing Designs (1900-1915), Published “7 Families in Pueblo Pottery”
This is an extraordinary large storage jar by Nampeyo of Hano. The piece is from around 1900-15. It is a striking shape with a round shoulder and short, sloping neck. The entire surface is fully polished. There is a bird wing, clouds, and mountain designs. It is one of her classic designs, painted with detail and precision. The jar is published in the book, “7 Families in Pueblo Pottery” and was exhibited at the Maxwell Museum at the same time when the book came out. The jar had been authenticated by her daughter Fannie Nampeyo as well. It is not often we find a piece with such a great attribution and published in one of the important books on Native pottery in the 1970s. Simply amazing to see in person!
This is a canteen by Nampeyo of Hano from around 1900-1908. It is one of her classic shapes. The back of the canteen is flat while the front is rounded. The front is painted with two swirling Sikaytki style birds with a moth below. The piece is painted with bee-weed and red clay slips. Note the slight turn of the neck on the canteen. This is a signature in her canteen form, as each has a slight turn to the neck. The back of the canteen also has remnants of the tags used by the Fred Harvey Company at the Grand Canyon. Beyond the design and style of painting, this also helps to date the canteen. The canteen is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
Brand
Nampeyo of Hano (1859-1942)
Nampeyo of Hano
Undoubtedly the most famous of the Hopi-Tewa potters Nampeyo revived Hopi pottery in the late 1800's. Her daughters Annie, Nellie and Fannie were also well-known potters. She was truly the matriarch of a dynasty of potters which was located near the base of Hopi First Mesa. Nampeyo learned pottery making from her paternal grandmother, and her early teenage years, she made a steady income by selling her work at a local trading post. She took an early interest in the design and form of ancient pottery, which she believed to be superior to the pottery being created by her contemporaries. She visited the ruins of ancient villages, and copied designs from pieces of prehistoric and protohistoric pottery onto paper, then reproduced the designs on her own vessels. She was also famous for making pottery at the Grand Canyon each summer as part of the Harvey Company. She never signed her work but it can be identified by numerous indicators from the clay to painting style. Her work is found in museums worldwide and important books on her included Barbara Kramer's "Nampeyo", Blair's "The Legacy of Master Potter" and "Canvas of Clay".