Setalla, Stetson – Large Bowl with Hummingbirds and Sikyatki Birds

9.5"w x 7"h

$ 575.00

Stetson Setalla is a grandson of Paqua Naha (Frogwoman) and the son of Pauline Setalla. His brother Dee and sisters Gwen Setalla and Agnes Nahsonhoya also make pottery. Stetson began making pottery at the age of 19.  This is a large bowl that is fully designed.  There are four sections.  Two have large hummingbirds.  The spiral up and around from the base of the jar.  Separating them are two sections with bird tails, rain, and Sikyatki bird designs.  The top three panels have the bird tails and rain clouds.  Below that are larger Sikyatki inspired birds painted with a dark red clay.  The rim has a black band and a dark red band.  This style of bowl is certainly reminiscent of Hopi-Tewa pottery from the 1970s when potters like Joy Navasie would paint the rim.  The bowl uses two different colors of red clay in addition to the black bee-weed.  There are strong blushes from the firing. It is signed on the back. Interestingly, the first time I met Stetson was through the famous photographer Jerry Jacka, around 1998.  Jerry was photographing Stetson’s pottery for his book on Hopi art and asked Stetson to stay until I arrived so I could see his pottery!  Definitely a talented potter from the very beginning.  It is signed with his name “S. Setalla” and a raincloud.