Tahbo, Dianna – Small Jar with Moth Design (1990)

Dianna Tahbo was known for her tightly painted pottery and especially her beautiful miniatures.  This piece is from 1990 and it is an exceptional smaller work in clay.  Dianna learned to make pottery from her brother, Mark Tahbo.  This shape is one for which both of them were famous, with the wide shoulder and short neck.  The jar is painted with the moth design which was revived by her great-great-grandmother Grace Chapella.  There is a moth on each side and separating them are three obelisk shapes, representing the three Hopi mesas.  There are stars for the night sky.  Below the shoulder are cloud and mesa designs. The piece is highly detailed and charming in the precision for the size.  The jar was traditionally fired so there are blushes on the surface.  It is signed on the bottom, “Dianna Tahbo”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.