Hopi Pueblo Migration Pattern Jar by Fannie Nampeyo [R]

The migration pattern so beautifully illustrated on this jar has been stated as representing the migration of the Hopi Pueblo people through four worlds. The fine lines are the migration routes.

Fannie Nampeyo was an outstanding potter. She was one of three daughters of Nampeyo of Hano and was the last of the three to pass away. As a result, she is probably the best known of Nampeyo’s daughters. Fannie was particularly adept at making fine, well balanced vessels. She seemed to be particularly outstanding at applying just the right design to fit the scale and shape of the vessel.

This is a beautifully rich orange-colored seed jar rendered in a polychrome version of a Sikyatki migration design pattern. The design is enclosed by two wide dark brown framing lines—one at the top and another at the bottom of the design area.

It is amazing to me that an artist can layout a design in freehand and have each section of the design end up with the same dimensions. The symmetry of the design on this jar can easily be viewed when looking down on the jar from the top. That’s one of the beautiful benefits one gets from work by a master potter.

This jar may not be very large but it has a presence about it that makes one marvel at its beauty and appreciates the talent of the potter who produced it.