Grand Old Hopi Pueblo Small Jar [SOLD]

When a Hopi pottery vessel is handled many times over decades, it takes on a warm leathery look. Constant layering of body oil from one's hands darkens the yellow color of the vessel, slowly adding a shading of brown. The darker coloration of the slip is accompanied with loss of the design as the paints eventually lighten from wear. The combination of darkening of the slip and loss of some of the painted design actually increases the beauty of the vessel.

That is the case with this lovely small jar. The potter formed a beautiful jar, thin walled and evenly symmetrical. Her application of the design in black and red paints was with a sure hand. The jar is in excellent condition in that there are no cracks, chips, etc.

The fact that the jar was made for use by the family of the maker is demonstrated by initials VFG carved twice on the underside. Much like the New Mexico pueblo potters, bowls and jars of this nature are often used in plaza dance ceremonies and the owner of such a piece will carve her name into the clay to assure return of the piece to its rightful owner. Had it been made for sale to a tourist or collector, it is quite likely the potter would have painted her name in brown paint on the underside.