Youvella, Wallace -Tall Jar with Four Carved Corn (1990s)

4"w x 4.75"h

$ 375.00

This is an unusual tall seed jar by Wallace Youvella.  He was the husband of Hopi-Tewa potter Iris Nampeyo  It is fully polished tan, the natural color of the clay.  There are four ears of corn impressed into the clay with the kernels carved.  The piece is similar in color to the corn jars made by Iris.  The jar was traditionally fired to create slight blushes on the surface.  Wallace was one of the first three men at Hopi in the mid-1970’s to begin making pottery (the others were Mark Tahbo and Thomas Polacca).  Interestingly, Thomas and Wallace (who were brothers-in-law) both started with traditional Hopi-Tewa designs but met resistance from the women potters, so began making pieces that were either fully polished and etched or carved.  This piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Wallace Youvella”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.