Quotskuyva, Dextra – Large Jar with Kiva Opening & Star Pattern (1988-90)

8.25"w x 5.25"h

$ 8,400.00

This is a highly detailed larger jar by Dextra Quotskuyva.  She is certainly one of the great innovators among Hopi-Tewa potters.  Her work began with more classic imagery and then has evolved over the years to more unique and stylized designs. This piece is from the late 1980’s, which can be see in the color of the red clay, as well as her signature and use of the cut out kiva door. The jar is a beautiful shape with a high shoulder and slightly turned out neck. The design around the top of the piece is a star pattern painted with a red caly slip.  The red area is stone polished. The surrounding cloud and lightning designs are painted with bee-weed (black). The cut out section is what Dextra calls the “kiva openings”.  She used this style on several pieces from this time period. The carved out section is clean and painted on the inside rim.  Note as well the band of design above the lighting, with the break in the pattern, which is a stylistic deference to Nampeyo of Hano, who often used this style in her design.  The tight, creative painting, the unique shape and the highly stone polished surface, are all reflective of the high quality pieces created by Dextra.  The bottom of the jar is signed with bee-weed, “Detra” with an ear of corn representing the Corn Clan.   The jar is in perfect condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  Dextra has been the subject of a retrospective of her pottery at the Museum of Indian Art and Culture called, “Painted Perfection“.