Elegance From Earth: Hopi Pottery



 

Pottery labels from the exhibition

 
PED-13
 
Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Pottery-making series, 1905-07
Ceramic
 
In 1905 and again in 1907, Nampeyo demonstrated pottery-making for the Fred Harvey Company at Hopi House at the Grand Canyon, where she and family members lived for several months. It is likely that she made this series of unfired pottery shapes for the Harvey Company at that time. The small decorated bowl illustrates one of the designs that Nampeyo developed referencing ancient Sikyatki pottery. It is a design that generations of family members have continued to adapt and use.
 
During Nampeyo's stay at Hopi House, it became necessary several times for the Harvey Company to replenish her clay, which was brought from the Hopi villages. The Harvey Company made small labels with her name that were added to the pottery she created.
 
Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection, Heard Museum, 489P-494P, 737P
 
 
PED-7
 
1
Unknown artist
Hopi-Tewa
Polacca Polychrome canteen, late 1800s
Ceramic
 
Beginning in about 1850, Hopi-Tewa potters coated their pottery with a white kaolin slip (liquid clay) that became crazed or crackled when the pottery was fired. Potters abandoned the use of this slip toward the end of the century. "Polacca Polychrome" is the general term used to describe the multicolored painted pottery that is named after the village of Polacca at First Mesa in present-day Arizona.
 
Heard Museum Collection, NA-SW-HO-A7-45
 
 
2
Attributed to Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Polacca Polychrome canteen, 1890s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. John M. Clements, NA-SW-HO-A6-9
 
 
3
Unknown artist, possibly Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Polacca Polychrome jar, 1885-95
Ceramic
 
This jar has a variation of the wing motif that Nampeyo and her family members were known to depict. On her pottery she also painted feather designs or birds similar to the ones on this jar.
 
Gift of Mr. Charles Benton, NA-SW-HO-A7-135
 
 
4
Unknown artist
Hopi-Tewa
Polacca Polychrome jar, late 1800s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Mrs. Anne Burmister in memory of Robert Bashford Burmister and Martha Gage Burmister, NA-SW-HO-A7-110
 
 
5
Attributed to Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Polacca Polychrome bowl, late 1800s
Ceramic
 
The potter depicted stylized birds on the bowl interior.
 
Heard Museum purchase, NA-SW-HO-A7-120
 
 
 
PED-8
 
1
Fannie Polacca Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1900-1987
Jar, 1960s
Ceramic
 
Fannie Nampeyo was one of Nampeyo's three daughters. Fannie's pottery is recognized for complex, fine-line designs. Fannie had seven children, six of whom were potters. Generations of creative potters have followed her.
 
Gift of Don and Jean Harrold, 4146-10
 
 
2
Tonita Hamilton Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1934
Jar, 1980s-90s
Ceramic
 
Tonita Hamilton's pottery is known for its fine-line designs. She is one of Fannie Nampeyo's daughters.
 
Bequest of William F. and Virginia C. Waterman, 4666-95
 
 
3
Elva Tewayguna Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, 1926-1985
Wedding vase, 1970s-80s
Ceramic
 
Elva Tewayguna was one of Fannie Nampeyo's daughters.
 
Gift of Don and Jean Harrold, 4146-61
 
 
4
Thomas (Tom) Polacca Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, 1935-2003
Jar, 1982
Ceramic
 
One of Fannie Nampeyo's sons, Thomas Nampeyo Polacca, distinguished his pottery by carving complex designs into the surface.
 
Gift of Don and Jean Harrold, 4146-60
 
 
5
Iris Youvella Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1944
Jar, 1970s
Ceramic
 
Iris Youvella, one of Fannie Nampeyo's daughters, has developed an elegant corn design that she appliqués onto polished jars.
 
Gift of Richard and Carolyn Morgan, 4043-24
 
 
6
Iris Youvella Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1944
Jar, 1970s
Ceramic
 
Anonymous donor, 4493-70
 
 
7
James Garcia Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1958
Jar, 1980s-90s
Ceramic
 
James Nampeyo is Leah Garcia's son and Fannie Nampeyo's grandson. He learned pottery techniques from his grandmother.
 
Bequest of Shirley H. McArdell, 4062-33
 
 
8
Loren Hamilton Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1961
Jar, 1990s
Ceramic
 
Loren is the son of Tonita Hamilton and the grandson of Fannie Nampeyo.
 
Gift of Neil and Sarah Berman, 4393-23
 
 
9
Carla Claw Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1961
Pottery, 1987
Ceramic
 
Carla Claw is the daughter of Thomas Polacca and the granddaughter of Fannie Nampeyo. Like her father, she carves designs into her pottery.
 
Bequest of Shirley H. McArdell, 4062-16
 
 
 
PED-10
 
1
Helen Naha (Feather Woman)
Hopi-Tewa, 1922-1993
Jar, 1960s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Mr. Edward Jacobson, NA-SW-HO-A2-5
 
 
2
Helen Naha (Feather Woman)
Hopi-Tewa, 1922-1993
Bowl, c. 1990
Ceramic
 
The elongated white designs on the shoulder of the jar represent eagle tail feathers.
 
Gift of Richard and Carolyn Morgan, 4043-17
 
 
3
Rainy Naha
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1949
"Parrot Union," 1999
Ceramic
 
"I have spent all my life around pottery. Growing up near the ruins of Awatovi, even shards were familiar to me. My beloved mother, Feather Woman, worked always on pottery. I was expected to help with all the tasks involved in making pottery: harvesting clay, preparing clay, harvesting manure, breaking sheep dung, sanding and burnishing pottery. This physical work of making pottery also balanced the emotional and spiritual discipline: praying, respecting the clay and native paints, and sharing self well-being with our pots."
-Rainy Naha
 
Gift of Roland and Ginny Wilson, 4635-60
 
 
4
Sylvia Naha
Hopi-Tewa, 1951-1999
Jar, 1985-90
Ceramic
 
Sylvia was Helen Naha's daughter. The amphibian designs on the jar are based on designs found on ancient Mimbres pottery.
 
Gift of the Family of Thomas and Elizabeth Pickard, 4197-2
 
 
5
Rainy Naha
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1949
Jar, 1990s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Dick Shefrin, 4211-6
 
 
6
Sylvia Naha
Hopi-Tewa, 1951-1999
Vase, 1997
Ceramic
 
Gift of Roland and Ginny Wilson, 4635-58
 
 
 
PED-9
 
1
Joy Navasie
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1919
Bowl, 1984
Ceramic
 
Joy Navasie made pottery in the style of her mother, Paqua Naha. Joy's children and grandchildren continue that tradition.
 
Heard Museum purchase, NA-SW-HO-A7-145
 
 
2
Natelle Navasie
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1941
Jar, 1989
Ceramic
 
Natelle is Joy Navasie's daughter.
 
Heard Museum Collection, 3205-11
 
 
3
Joy Navasie
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1919
Wedding vase, 1970s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Mr. Lynn M. Pearlstein, NA-SW-HO-A7-141
 
 
4
Loretta Navasie
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1948
Vase, 1980s-90s
Ceramic
 
Loretta is Joy Navasie's daughter.
 
Gift of Don and Jean Harrold, 4146-1
 
 
5
Marianne Navasie
Hopi-Tewa, 1951-2009
Jar, 1990s
Ceramic
 
Marianne was Joy Navasie's daughter.
 
Gift of Roland and Ginny Wilson, 4635-65
 
 
 
PED-11
 
1
Jacob (Jake) Koopee, Jr.
Hopi-Tewa, 1970-2011
Bowl, 1998
Ceramic
 
Jake Koopee was the great-great-grandson of Nampeyo. His great-grandmother was Nellie Nampeyo Douma and his grandmother was Marie Koopee. Jake Koopee won many awards for his ceramics, including the 2005 Best of Show award at the 47th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market.
 
Heard Museum purchase, 3849-1
 
 
2
Preston Duwyenie
Hopi, b. 1951
Jar, late 1990s
Ceramic
 
Preston Duwyenie uses micaceous clay to create low-shoulder jars. After firing he adds ornaments made by using cuttlefish bone to cast silver.
 
Gift of Neil and Sarah Berman, 4393-33
 
 
3
Garnet Pavatea
Hopi-Tewa, 1915-1981
Bowl, c. 1970
Ceramic
 
Garnet Pavatea demonstrated pottery-making techniques at the Museum of Northern Arizona for many years and entered pottery into the Hopi Art Show, where she won many awards.
 
Heard Museum Collection, NA-SW-HO-A7-90
 
 
 
PED-12
 
1
Grace Chapella
Hopi-Tewa, 1874-1980
Jar, 1970s
Ceramic
 
Grace Chapella is perhaps best known for her jars that depict butterflies and landscapes -- designs that were derived from Sikyatki bowls that she saw being excavated.
 
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Harvey III, NA-SW-HO-A7-63
 
 
2
Mark Tahbo
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1958
Jar, 1991
Ceramic
 
Mark Tahbo is the great-grandson of Grace Chapella.
 
Gift in memory of Mary and Pablo Enriquez, 4636-22
 
 
3
Al Qöyawayma
Hopi, b. 1938
Canteen, 1989
Ceramic
 
"My clay creations reflect the aesthetic influences of the Southwest environment and values passed down through our family. Form, textures, contrasts, shadow, the softness of desert color hues are foremost in my work. Oral history and research provide me with themes, continually emerging, which identifies who we were and are; a profound pursuit."
-Al Qöyawayma, 1997
 
Gift in memory of Mary and Pablo Enriquez, 4636-27
 
 
4
Polingaysi Qöyawayma (Elizabeth White)
Hopi, 1892-1990
Jar, 1973
Ceramic
 
Polingaysi Qöyawayma was an educator and author. After retiring from teaching, she began to make pottery, recalling the steps that her mother had taught her. Polingaysi's nephew Al Qöyawayma learned to make pottery by watching her.
 
Heard Museum purchase, NA-SW-HO-AI-15
 
 
5
Al Qöyawayma
Hopi, b. 1938
Miniature jar, 1987
Ceramic
 
Bequest of Shirley H. McArdell, 4062-9
 
 
6
Al Qöyawayma
Hopi, b. 1938
Miniature jar, 1986
Ceramic
 
Bequest of Shirley H. McArdell, 4062-10
 
 
 
PED-6
 
1
Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Canteen, late 1800s
Ceramic
 
Collection of Rosalind and Eugene Meieran
 
 
2
Rachel Sahmie
Hopi-Tewa, b. 1956
Jar, 2008
Ceramic
 
Collection of Jerry Cowdrey
 
 
 
PED-1
 
Attributed to Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Jar, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
The shape of this jar, with its low shoulder, exaggerated diameter and thin walls, is like the work of Nampeyo, but she rarely used the red clay and the blocky designs are unlike her painting style.
 
Heard Museum Collection, NA-SW-HO-A7-86
 
 
 
PED-3
 
Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Jar, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
The complex designs on the white clay body as well as the graceful shape of this jar exemplify Nampeyo's work. The designs resemble the intricate patterns seen on Hopi embroidered mantas.
 
Collection of Rosalind and Eugene Meieran
 
 
 
PED-4
 
Paqua Naha (Frog Woman)
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1890-1950
Jar, c. 1940
Ceramic
 
Paqua Naha developed designs based on the pottery shards from the ancestral village of Awatovi. She painted these on a white clay body to create a contrast between the bold designs and the white background.
 
Heard Museum Collection, NA-SW-HO-A7-126
 
 
 
PED-5
 
Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Jar, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
These abstract designs are found on the early works of Nampeyo. Large jars such as this are difficult to fire in the out-of-doors manner southwestern potters undertake.
 
Collection of Eugene and Rosalind Meieran
 
 
 
PED-2
 
Karen Abeita-Daw
Isleta Pueblo-Tewa, b. 1960
Jar, 1994
Ceramic
 
Several potters continue the difficult task of creating this challenging form out of coils of clay. If the clay is too soft, the walls will collapse when the potter attempts the low-shoulder shape. The potter allows the shape to partially dry before adding coils to form the low shoulder. If the clay becomes too dry, cracks will form where the coils are joined.
 
Gift of Roland and Ginny Wilson
 
 
 
PLATFORM:
 
Rachel Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, 1903-1985
Jar, 1950s
Ceramic
 
Gift from the Estate of Mr. E. D. Newcomer, NA-SW-HO-A7-102
 
 
Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Jar, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
Collection of Ellen and John Stiteler
 
 
Daisy Nampeyo Hooee
Hopi-Tewa, 1906-1994
Jar, c. 1970
Ceramic
 
Kersting Collection
 
 
 
CASE-1:
 
The pottery on the family tree was donated by the following:
 
Neil and Sarah Berman
Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection
Lentz Family
Shirley H. McArdell
Marguerite Fay Shipman
William F. and Virginia C. Waterman
Jack W. Whiteman
Mrs. J. R. Williams
Roland and Ginny Wilson


Canteen labels from the exhibition

1-2
Attributed to Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Canteens, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
Miniature canteens were made in the same shape as larger, utilitarian canteens. Often, miniatures were highly decorated as they were items made for sale.
Gift of Joann Phillips and Heard Museum Collection, 4398-33 and NA-SW-HO-A7-40
 
 
3
Attributed to Grace Chapella
Hopi-Tewa, 1874-1980
Canteen, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Joann Phillips, 4398-27
 
 
4
Attributed to Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Canteen, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Joann Phillips, 4398-31
 
 
5-6
Unknown artists
Hopi or Hopi-Tewa
Canteens, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Joann Phillips, 4398-28, 4398-24
 
 
7-8
Attributed to Nampeyo
Hopi-Tewa, c. 1860-1942
Canteens, early 1900s
Ceramic
 
Gift of Joann Phillips, 4398-25, 4398-26
 
 
The photographs used are courtesy of the following:
Nampeyo photograph by Emery Kopta, c. 1915, Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives, #RC:26:15B/GLA
Annie Healing Nampeyo photograph by W. Summer Matteson, 1901, Milwaukee Public Museum, #44743
Daisy Nampeyo photograph by Emery Kopta, c. 1915, Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives, # RC:26:17/GLA
Rachel Namingha Nampeyo photograph by Helga Teiwes, 1974, Arizona State Museum, University of Arizona, #C-6959
Dextra and Camille (Hisi) Quotskuyva Nampeyo photograph by Owen Seumptewa, 1995, Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives, #RC114(2):357.13
 
 
 
[How to make pottery panel]
 
Joy Navasie, Photographs by Jerry Jacka, 1982
1) Coiling a pottery jar
2) Coiling and pinching the clay to shape the jar
3) Using a gourd rind to smooth the finish on moist clay
4) Painting with a yucca brush using natural plant and mineral paints
 
 
(Separate photo credits)
 
Nampeyo photograph by Emery Kopta, c. 1915, Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives, #RC:26:15B/GLA
 
 
Daisy Hooee Nampeyo mixes clay, 1983, Photograph by Rick Smith, Billie Jane Baguley Library and Archives, NA-SW-ZU-116
 
 
Joy Navasie paints pottery, 1982, Photograph by Jerry Jacka


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