Nampeyo, Tonita – Water Jar with Migration Pattern with 16 Bird Wings (1980s)

Tonita Nampeyo was a daughter of Fannie Nampeyo and a granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano.  She was known for her traditional pottery, which uses natural clay slips and bee-weed for black painted areas.  This jar is an elegant shape with a round shoulder and a short neck.  The jar has a classic “migration pattern” painted around the shoulder.  The design was revived by Nampeyo of Hano in the late 1800s from ancient Sikyatki pottery of the 1400-1600 period.  The design consists of interlocking bird wings and thin lines. This jar has eight wings above the shoulder and eight below, for a total of sixgteen. In addition, there are all the thin lines connecting the wings.  It is traditionally fired, creating light blushes on the surface.  It is signed, ‘Tonita Nampeyo” and a corn plant for Corn Clan.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.