Historic Hopi Pueblo Pottery Footed Cup-Shape Vessel [SOLD]

The history of such things as this small footed cup-shape vessel is somewhat cloudy. They obviously had no functional use for the Hopi, so they must have been made solely to sell to visitors to the Hopi mesas. Whether it was Thomas Pavatea, who ran a trading post at First Mesa, or Thomas Keam, who ran a trading post at Keam’s Canyon, is unimportant, but it surely was one of them who suggested to the potters to make these “anglo-recognizable” shapes as curio items for tourists visiting the reservation.

Although made for sale to tourists visiting the reservation or visiting the Grand Canyon, the potters did not stray from tradition in making the pieces. The materials are traditional Hopi materials and the manner of construction is the same as used on any Hopi pottery. Even the design is traditional.

This piece probably dates to the first quarter of the 20th century and is unsigned. It is in excellent condition.