Dextra Quostkuyva Nampeyo is certainly one of the most influential Hopi-Tewa potters of the last 50 years. Not only has she taught 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 an earlier jar  from the 1970’s.  It is one of the most unique shapes we have seen in her early work.  The jar narrow base just up to create a round surface for the design.  That style of form certainly seems to have an influence of Zuni pottery forms.  The bowl is painted with the classic migration pattern which encircles the piece. The piece has very thin lines painted for the migration pattern and in a manner for which Dextra became famous in the 1970’s.  The red areas are interesting, as they have a more “painterly” appearance. This is striking as it seems to be more reminiscent of the early Hopi-Tewa pottery before the 1930’s when a new red clay slip was introduced.  The jar reads as a history of early Hopi-Tewa pottery from their influence of Zuni shapes and designs, then the introduction of Sikyatki patterns (migration design) and then the early style of red clay slip.  It’s not surprising that Dextra would be able to combine all these elements into a single jar and have the result be simply striking in appearance!    It is painted with natural clay slips and bee-weed (black) and traditionally fired to create the blushes or fire-clouds on the surface.   The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Dextra Quotskuyva (Nampeyo).  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.