Hopi Pueblo Polychrome Shallow Pottery Bowl by Ant Woman [SOLD]

This Hopi Pueblo polychrome shallow bowl by Ant Woman has an appealing shape and strong designs.  It’s large, too, measuring almost a foot in diameter. Its underbody is one wide, gentle curve, with a gorgeous bright red color. Many Hopi bowls of this width curve upwards a bit more at their exteriors, ultimately working their way up to near-vertical rims. This one, which makes it about halfway, is pleasantly unusual.  Its shape recalls that of a shallow basket bowl. We’ve only handled a few of Ant Woman’s works in the past; most of them have been unique in some way. We hope to see more of them.

The shallow bowl’s interior features a Sikyatki bird design, arranged in a spiral, winding inward to the bowl’s center.  Within the spiral bird are various patterns and geometric designs, the majority of which will look familiar to those who appreciate traditional Hopi imagery.  The interior work is completed in black and white with a single touch of red. The white stands out; it’s neither the highly polished white seen on some contemporary Hopi wares nor the rougher tan color of older historic pieces.  The piece looks great sitting naturally, as its graceful shape is visible in this position. A stand works well too, though, allowing the viewer a clear look at its interior.

Marcia Rickey (1918-1991), also known as Marcia Fritz and Ant Woman, was a Hopi Pueblo potter who was active between 1950 and 1990.  Ricky was from the village of Walpi on First Mesa. Most potters on the Hopi mesas are of Tewa origin, and referred to as Hopi-Tewa; however, there are some potters at the village of Walpi on First Mesa who are of Hopi origin. The hallmark she used on her pottery is a flying ant.  Rickey made multiple pieces of pottery that are included in the collection of the Museum of Northern Arizona.

Condition: this Hopi Pueblo Polychrome Shallow Pottery Bowl by Ant Woman is in very good condition

Provenance: private New Jersey collection

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

Relative Links: Southwest Indian Pottery, Hopi Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Ant Woman