Hopi Burnished Clay Seed Jar with Corn Design [SOLD]

Iris Youvella Nampeyo (1944 – present), Hopi Pueblo, Arizona,  a daughter of Fannie Nampeyo and granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano, is known for her sculptural design pottery that she has mastered to the finest detail.  This style of sculpture was first made by Elizabeth White (Polingaysi) and further refined by her nephew, Al Colton (Qöyawayma). 

Colton has evolved from the simple corn design to carving cliff dwellings on his pots.  Iris has mostly stayed with designing simple corn stalks or ears of corn.  It is the simplicity of her work that makes it so elegant.  She does not apply a slip to the surface but simply polishes the natural clay from which the jar was made.  The corn plant is generally left in a matte state, as in this jar. 

The jar is signed Iris Y. Nampeyo into the clay.  The date 12-82 is written in pencil.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from an Albuquerque family collection

Recommended Reading: Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Schaaf