Dextra Quostkuyva Nampeyo was certainly one of the most influential Hopi-Tewa potters of the last 50 years. Not only did she teach numerous potters (Steve Lucas, Yvonne Lucas, Les Namingha, Loren Ami, Hisi Nampeyo, to name just a few), but her creative designs and forms changed have dramatically influenced the pottery itself.  This is a very early piece of her pottery from 1972.  It is a bowl in the shape of a bird.  These are always interesting pieces, as they were often used during katsina ceremonies and would be handed out to people at the dances fill with fruit or cookies.  I remember that I was once given one made by Mark Tahbo at a Mixed Katsina Dance at Tewa and it was filled with food.  However, typically, if they were used, they were not to be signed (since they were to be a gift).  However, the form has remained over the years.  This bird has Dextra’s very thinly painted lines for its wings.  The red areas are polished and the piece was traditionally fired.  It is signed on the bottom, “Dextra Quotskuyva (Nampeyo)”.  This signature is an early one as people were not familiar with her and so the “Nampeyo” tied her to that family legacy.  This piece was originally purchased from her at First Mesa in 1972.  The client told me he went to Hopi and bought a variety of pottery from various potters whose names he had been given, including Dextra.  Definitely a great piece of history!  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.