Hopi Small Monochromatic Palm Size Seed Jar

Created by an anonymous Hopi potter, this exquisite seed jar makes a powerful case for the beauty of small-scale art. While many artists of the early 1900s utilized similar forms and motifs, few achieved the exceptional strength and charm displayed in this piece.

Despite its modest size, the vessel commands a powerful visual presence. Though the seed jar shape is a staple among Hopi-Tewa artists, this particular example stands out for its remarkable elegance. It was likely crafted around the 1930s, a period when the demand for small-scale Hopi pottery flourished among visitors to the reservation.

The artist compromised nothing for the jar's scale, meticulously applying each element with absolute precision. Encircling the shoulder is a continuous, interconnected motif featuring a pair of back-to-back, black curved triangles attached to a cross-hatched oval — a complex pattern seamlessly repeated around the vessel.

Just below the rim, a thick framing line features a traditional ceremonial break, mirrored below by a thin, unbroken framing line. Another continuous line encircles the widest point of the jar, perfectly anchoring the composition.

Legacy and Craftsmanship

The thin vessel walls, the subtly raised and defined lip, and the flawless execution of the design all point to a master artisan at work. The shape pays homage to ancient Sikyatki seed jars, which served as the stylistic precedent for 19th- and 20th-century Hopi pottery. Ultimately, this wonderful piece stands as a definitive testament to the skill, patience, and superior workmanship of an experienced potter.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Hopi Small Monochromatic Palm Size Seed Jar is from the collection of a gentleman from Santa Fe

Recommended Reading: America's Great Lost Expedition, The Thomas Keam Collection of Hopi Pottery from the Second Hemenway Expedition, 1890-1894 by Edwin Wade, et al.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Hopi Pueblo