Thomas Polacca was a son of noted potter Fannie Nampeyo and a grandson of Nampeyo of Hano.  He is considered among the first men to begin making pottery at Hopi in the 1970s.  Interestingly, the men initially did not use the traditional Sikyatki designs but followed other directions in their pottery.  This is one  of his most iconic styles with deeply carved designs that are slipped with clay and bee-weed. The goal of his pieces in this style was to make them look more like wood and less like traditional Hopi-Tewa pottery. This bowl has five figures representing the Buffalo Dance.  There are three male and two female dancers.  They are deeply carved into the clay and note the rounded edges to the carving.  Each figure has multiple levels of carving.  Note as well the buildings near the base of the bowl.  The background area has incised lines creating additional levels and texture to the bowl.  The piece was traditionally fired and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  The piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “T. Nampeyo”.  It is from 1980.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

About the Buffalo Dance:

The Hopi would dress as buffalo and copy their movements. The purpose of the dance was to call on the spirit world for help in their hunting, and to call the buffalo herd closer to them as this would bring them good luck and ensure a successful hunt.