Hopi Pueblo Large Egg-Shaped Pottery Jar by Sylvia Naha, Feather Woman [SOLD]

This Hopi Pueblo Large Egg-Shaped Polychrome Pottery Jar by Sylvia Naha, Feather Woman, would make an excellent addition to the collection of anyone who appreciates unique pots.  It’s a large piece with an unusual shape and strong, intricate designs. The vessel itself is shaped like an egg with a flat bottom and just a bit of its top cut off.  Alternatively, it could be seen as a bulbous, modern version of the cylindrical vessels made frequently by previous generations of Hopi potters. However one chooses to describe it, this jar’s form is enormously appealing.

Naha’s design work here is every bit as strong as her work with the vessel itself.  Two sinusoidal design bands circle the jar. Each band contains traditional Hopi designs.  These designs curve gracefully, fitting perfectly within the bands’ borders. Each band contains a series of lines running parallel to one another.  Two of the bands formed by these parallel lines—one on the top and one on the bottom—are filled in with a warm orange. Crosshatched lines cover the remainder of the jar’s surface.  Every inch of the jar’s complex design is painted and polished to perfection. This is a fantastic example of the finest in contemporary Hopi-Tewa pottery.

Sylvia Naha (1951–1999) Feather Woman was the daughter of Helen and Archie Naha, and the granddaughter of Paqua Naha. Paqua was the first Frog Woman.  Helen was the first Feather Woman. Sylvia became Feather Woman when her mom passed away Sylvia passed away in August of 1999, at the age of 48.  The jar’s bottom is signed with Naha’s feather and “S” signature.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: private collection

Recommended Reading; Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery by Rick Dillingham

Relative Links: Helen Naha, Hopi Pueblo, Paqua Naha, Contemporary Pottery, Sylvia Naha