Hopi Large Pictorial Seed Jar [SOLD]

Mark Tahbo brought us this seed jar with much enthusiasm for his accomplishments.  He has concentrated on making small pottery items for the past 5 or so years because of the economy and finally decided that things had improved enough that he should see about making something larger.  He said that this is the third large one he has made and the other two were not of the quality he desired, but this is one in which he is very proud.

He said the design idea came to him when he saw a photograph of a jar made by Nampeyo.  It had a wide top with this design painted on it.  He decided then that is what he wanted to make.  Here is the result.  He was very proud that the firing produced a beautiful orange even color on the top with traditional blush on the underside that substantiates that it was a traditional firing.

It was interesting watching him stand by the jar and stroke it as he spoke about it.  He seemed to be very proud of this jar and seemed to have a hard time separating from it.  It was so nice to see that he was not just interested in selling the piece but wanted to talk about it and stress its importance as a work of art. 

Mark is the great-grandson of famous Hopi potter Grace Chapella, and the grandson of her daughter Alma Tahbo.  His siblings are potters too.  Grace Chapella, of course, is famous for living to 106 years and continuing to make pottery past her 100th birthday.

Mark Tahbo has been a consistent award winner at Santa Fe Indian Market.  In 1991, he won Overall Prize at Indian Market.  In 1992 he was awarded Best of Division at the Heard Museum Indian Fair. Awards continued to be presented to him in 1993 and 1994 and later.

Condition: new

Provenance: from the artist

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