Tahbo, Mark – Bowl with Buffalo and Bird Wing Design (2000)
$ 1,800.00
This is an unusual wide bowl by Mark Tahbo. It is one of a series he made which were inspired by a particular jar by Nampeyo of Hano (see the last photo, from “Legacy of a Master Potter” by Mary Ellen Blair). The jar by Nampeyo was half red and half painted. If I remember correctly, this was the third piece that he made inspired by that style. The bowl has a wide shoulder and a flat top. Have of the piece has the buffalo design painted with bee-weed (black). The other half has just a red band around the neck. There is an eagle tail design that extends over the side of the bowl. I don’t remember why this particular design by Nampeyo was so fascinating to Mark. However, I do remember on this piece that I asked him why there was only a small red portion and not the whole half. He said that the red band and the side with the buffalo were the tribute to Nampeyo of Hano. The eagle tail was his modern “addition” to the design. Typical of Mark, he was always looking to the future of the art. The overall result, however, is a piece that has tightly painted designs and an aesthetic flow. It was traditionally fired to create the blushes on the surface. This piece is signed “Mark Tahbo,” with a pipe representing the Tobacco Clan. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
Out of stock
This is an unusual wide bowl by Mark Tahbo. It is one of a series he made which were inspired by a particular jar by Nampeyo of Hano (see the last photo, from “Legacy of a Master Potter” by Mary Ellen Blair). The jar by Nampeyo was half red and half painted. If I remember correctly, this was the third piece that he made inspired by that style. The bowl has a wide shoulder and a flat top. Have of the piece has the buffalo design painted with bee-weed (black). The other half has just a red band around the neck. There is an eagle tail design that extends over the side of the bowl. I don’t remember why this particular design by Nampeyo was so fascinating to Mark. However, I do remember on this piece that I asked him why there was only a small red portion and not the whole half. He said that the red band and the side with the buffalo were the tribute to Nampeyo of Hano. The eagle tail was his modern “addition” to the design. Typical of Mark, he was always looking to the future of the art. The overall result, however, is a piece that has tightly painted designs and an aesthetic flow. It was traditionally fired to create the blushes on the surface. This piece is signed “Mark Tahbo,” with a pipe representing the Tobacco Clan. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.
Brand
Tahbo, Mark (1958-2017)
Mark Tahbo
Mark Tahbo was a Hopi-Tewa member of the Tobacco Clan. He had been an active potter since 1978. He learned to make pottery from his great-grandmother, Grace Chapella. His sisters Diana and Pam were also potters. Mark was influential in the early 1990s in recognizing Hopi pottery's traditional firing and keeping it as a practice among Hopi-Tewa.
Mark had won numerous awards for his pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Indian Market, and Gallup Ceremonials. In 1991, he won the Overall Prize at Santa Fe Indian Market. In 1992 he was awarded Best of Division at the Heard Museum Indian Fair. Awards continued to be presented to him in 1993 and 1994. His pottery is featured in books such as "Talking with the Clay" and "Collecting Authentic Indian Art." He is remembered as one of the exceptional traditional innovators of Hopi pottery. His pieces reflect the remarkable symmetry and thin walls of an excellent potter. The designs are painted using native clay slips and beeweed plants for the black.
Sadly, Mark passed away in December 2017. We were lucky to work with him at King Galleries for over 20 years. His creativity and artistic genius will be missed.