Jean Sahme was a daughter of noted potter Priscilla Nampeyo and a descendant of Nampeyo of Hano. This water jar has a high shoulder and a short neck.  Around the neck are step style cloud designs.  Around the shoulder are interlocking cloud faces.  They are painted with red and tan clay slips along with bee-weed (black). The remainder of the jar is fully polished.  The piece was traditionally fired to create the blushes on the surface.  I think it speaks well for Jean’s design and forms that she was willing to leave so much open space, allowing the blushes to accentuate the form.  The piece is thin-walled and elegant in form and design.  It is signed Jean Sahme (‘Sahme’ means corn).  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

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