Historic Hopi Polacca Pottery Bowl with Zuni Designs

Between the late 1700s and the mid-1800s, the Hopi people endured a long period of drought, failed crops, and general instability. In search of more favorable living conditions, many Hopi families relocated temporarily to Zuni Pueblo. These extended stays, some lasting nearly twenty years, had a lasting cultural influence on Hopi life and art.

While living at Zuni, Hopi potters encountered a different set of ceramic traditions. Zuni pottery was known for its white slip surfaces, bold linear patterns, and distinctive motifs such as rainbirds, capped scrolls, and strong geometric forms. These designs differed from the established Hopi styles but were soon adopted and reinterpreted by Hopi artists during their time in Zuni.

When Hopi families returned to their mesas, they brought these new influences with them. The result was a transitional period of stylistic blending, best seen in what is now referred to as Polacca Polychrome pottery. These vessels featured cream or white slips, red and black painted designs, and decorative motifs that reflected both Zuni influence and Hopi sensibilities.

This bowl in particular demonstrates that blend. Its thicker rim is a feature often attributed to Nampeyo of Hano, while the design layout reflects the Zuni visual language. Though the bowl follows Hopi form, its motifs and surface treatment clearly echo Zuni design, creating a piece that speaks to a moment of artistic exchange and adaptation.

By the late 19th century, Nampeyo led a revival of ancient Sikyatki designs, steering Hopi pottery back toward its pre-contact roots. Yet pottery from this earlier period of cultural blending offers a compelling glimpse into how environmental hardship led to shared creative expression between neighboring communities. These vessels remain essential records of resilience, innovation, and cultural continuity.

Condition: very good condition with minor rim abrasions and a few small pop-outs on the interior and the bottom of the bowl.

Provenance: This Historic Hopi Polacca Pottery Bowl with Zuni 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: Southwest Indian Pottery, Hopi Pueblo, Zuni Pueblo