Hopi pottery

A triumphal piece by Bobby Silas. Inspired by the Sikyatki pottery, this traditionally built and fired piece measures 12 by 7.5 inches. $1275.  (TUCSON)

 This particular bowl was made by Bobby Silas (b 1987). His Godfather Kevin Navasie began teaching him how to make traditional Hopi pottery when he was twelve years old. He moved to Zuni at  age 17 where, a year later, he met Tim Edaakie from Zuni and they began collaborate on old style pottery work, researching it extensively. Bobby reprises and is inspired by ancient vessels, including Sikyatki and Payupki styles. This particular one is painted with a katsina design that was on a sherd he found. The paints include ochre (which starts yellow but turns red-brown in the firing) and a mixture of hematite and beeweed for the black, both applied with a yucca brush. 7 by 2.5 inches. SOLD

A gorgeous low-shoulder polychrome jar with Sikyatki designs by James Nampeyo Garcia. 4.25 inches high and 7.25 inches across. SOLD (TUCSON)

At left is a classic Nampeyo pattern favored by Leah Nampeyo, re-interpreted by her son James. 3.5 by 5 inches. $400. The polychrome parrot effigy bowl was made by Rachel Sahmie Nampyeo (1903-1985)  7 inches long and 4.25 inches high. $600. (SANTA FE)

Ida Sahmie is actually Navajo, married in at Hopi, living on First Mesa so while she uses Hopi clay and paints, her designs are always Navajo-based. This one features the four sacred plants: Beans, Squash, Tobacco and Corn. 3.25 by 5 inches. SOLD. (TUCSON) (click for larger image)

By James Nampeyo, this has a classic series of old Sikyatki designs that were favored by his great grandmother along with the Sikyatki butterfly motif. 5 inches high and 7 inches across. $850 (TUCSON)

Above left: James Nampeyo Garcia, son of Leah Nampeyo, grandson of Fannie Nampeyo made this piece. He learned pottery-making from his grandmother and dedicated himself to working with her design traditions. 10.5 by 2.5 inches. $800.

At right is an unusual form: a cookie jar. These first began to appear somewhere around 1930. Almost ten inches high and just under 8 inches across. This one dates to around 1950 and may be the work of Imogene Lomakema (1901-1999), who was well-known for her cookie jars. SOLD (BOTH IN TUCSON)

James Nampeyo Garcia created these two very special pieces. The top one, with the Nampeyo eagle tail design is an impressive 7" high and 11" across. $2400. (Tucson)      

The unusual (and difficult to construct) double jar with bird motifs is 7 inches high and 8.5 inches across. $875 (Santa Fe)

 Born in 1958, James is a member of the Corn Clan from First Mesa. His parents were Leah Polacca of Hopi and Lewis Garcia of Laguna Pueblo. He learned how to work clay from his mother and his grandmother, Fannie Nampeyo. While he formed a few small pots starting around age 5 or 6,  it was not until his early twenties that he began making and painting his own work.

“I stick with Nampeyo traditional designs. I more or less like to carry on with what my grandmother taught me.”

This Hopi bowl was made fifty or more years ago and so is unsigned. 10.25 inches across and 4 inches deep. $875 (TUCSON)

By Dee Setalla, of the Bear Clan. Hand with dragonfly motifs and a corn band on the wrist. 9.5 by 3.75 inches. $675. (Tucson)

Another classic: this with the Sikyatki butterfly motif as the predominant pattern. By Vernida Sahmie, who now signs Vernida Polacca Nampeyo. Very fine example of her earlier work and unusually large. 11.5 by 7.25 inches. $1800.