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Talk about truly extraordinary, this piece is out of this world great and quite literally so, there is so much dynamic motion, energy and movement in this bowl that it looks like a whirling spaceship about to take off for another galaxy. As we have often humorously, but somewhat truthfully said, Nampeyo (1859-1942) might have invented the “propeller” around the same time the Wright Brothers invented the airplane.
It seems fairly likely that Nampeyo had assistance painting this particular vessel, most likely from her youngest daughter, Fannie (1900-1986) or her second daughter, Nellie (1896-1978) or even possibly her granddaughter or niece, Lena Chio Charlie (1888-1978), all three of whom she often worked with during this 1920’s time period due to her progressively failing vision from the chronic eye disease Trachoma. But one thing is absolutely and abundantly clear, and that is that Nampeyo strongly "art-directed" and orchestrated the design and painting, even if she didn’t do it all herself.
The overall design scheme here is pure vintage Sikyatki-Revival style Nampeyo in every respect; four distinct, but closely-related pairs of symmetrical, horizontally-opposed paired design motifs, eight in all. Too, in true Nampeyo style,
the juxtaposition of the positive and negative spaces in all of these designs is almost electric, possessing extraordinary energy, synthesis and vitality. Other telltale Nampeyo characteristics are also present here as well beginning with the overall Jar-Bowl shape and style stemming from the ancient Hopi Sikyatki Period pottery (1375-1625 A.D.) as well as Nampeyo’s outstanding expert ultra high-temperature firing with Hopi lignite coal from nearby Antelope Mesa.
Above right, an ancient Sikyatki Polychrome type low-profile Jar-Bowl, c. 1500-1600 A.D.
Right photo source and © Peabody Museum, Boston MA
At left, Nampeyo and Fannie Nampeyo making pottery, c. 1925. At right, Nampeyo completing the formation of a large pottery jar, 1935. This is precisely the stage at which she would hand the vessel over to Fannie for painting after which Nampeyo would fire it.
Left photo source and © Frashers Fotos. Right photo source and © Tad Nichols, Tad Nichols Collection, 1935.
The overall design has that distinctive abstract modernist quality that Nampeyo so often achieved particularly in the
first two decades of the 20th Century, combining Nampeyo's own stylized interpretations of ancient Hopi Sikyatki Period (1375-1625 A.D.) pottery designs with her own unique original ideas to form a beautifully cohesive whole. The Jar-Bowl’s exterior is sparely decorated with four opposed matching pairs of horizontal geometric glyphs, yet again eight identical
and symmetrical design motifs. The complex interior and somewhat sparse exterior designs achieve a wonderful overall visual interplay and harmony. The interplay of the various areas of gorgeous light yellow and orange firing blushes all over the entire vessel’s surface also adds immensely to this intense visual impact and appeal. Too, the deliberate use of just black paint only on a yellow clay ground echoes the ancient Hopi Jeddito Yellow Ware tradition which was very closely related to that of Sikyatki.
And, wow, this piece is BIG, it measures a very impressive just a hair under 12” in diameter and is 4" in depth and in person
its colossal visual impact makes it seem even larger. The piece is in remarkably excellent original condition for its century or so of age with no cracks and no significant chips or abrasions. A thorough examination of the Jar-Bowl under Ultraviolet light reveals no evidence of restoration or over painting anywhere on the vessel. There are a couple small chips and abrasions here and there and some slight staining on the interior. Thre is also some small amount of abrasion wear on
the bottom of the veseel, but overall the condition is quite excellent.
This vessel is an absolutely superb example of the unparalleled historic excellence of Nampeyo family pottery, exceptionally well potted and fantastically painted with a fresh dynamic design and a beautifully energetic and
completely captivating visual power and effect.
Price $5,900
A remarkable, large historic Hopi Black-on-Yellow pottery Jar-Bowl made by Nampeyo of Hano, and likely painted by her daughter, granddaughter or niece, c. 1920’s
