Hopi Large Open Bowl with Sikyatki-style Designs

The Sikyatki Vision: A Monumental Hopi-Tewa Polychrome Bowl

This large, hand-coiled bowl is a masterclass in the Sikyatki Revival style — a movement that brought the complex, prehistoric designs of the 15th century into the modern era. While the artist chose to remain anonymous, the sheer scale and dual-sided decoration mark this as a piece intended for a serious collector rather than for kitchen use.

The Architecture of the Vessel

The bowl was expertly formed with a wide, sweeping curvature that rolls gently inward toward a short, precise rim. The surface has been meticulously stone-polished, creating a smooth, lustrous ground for the intricate polychrome painting that follows.

The Interior: A Masterpiece of Fluidity

The interior serves as a canvas for two mirrored compositions. Dominating each half is a large, stylized bird — the hallmark of the Hopi revival aesthetic. A long, black beak swirls with calligraphic grace, leading into a body composed of sharp, "magnificent" geometrics in red and black. The tail feathers are rendered with fine stippling (tiny dots), a labor-intensive technique used to provide texture and depth, often symbolizing rain or the seeds of life.

The Exterior: A Storyboard of Symbols

Unlike utilitarian bowls, which were rarely painted on the outside, this vessel features a sophisticated two-inch narrative band divided into rectangular panels. Each panel offers a unique glimpse into the Pueblo worldview — Corn & landscape, complex abstraction, and vibrancy. Remaining panels utilize a full polychrome palette, ensuring the bowl is visually striking from every possible angle.

The Mystery of the Signature

While a previous owner has penciled the name "Nampeyo" on the base, we approach this attribution with professional caution. The presence of the Sikyatki-style bird is likely why the name was added; Nampeyo of Hano was the primary force behind this specific revival. While we do not definitively attribute this to her hand, the bowl's exceptional quality and the complexity of its layout suggest it was made by a high-ranking contemporary or a direct family member working at the peak of the movement.

Condition: an insignificant hairline crack has been stabilized and a small spall on the base was repaired.

Provenance: this Hopi Large Open Bowl with Sikyatki-style Designs is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery

Recommended Reading: Canvas of Clay: Seven Centuries of Hopi Ceramic Art by Edwin L. Wade and Allan Cooke

TAGS: pottery, Hopi Pueblo