Hopi-Tewa Migration Pattern Pottery Seed Jar by Elva Nampeyo [SOLD]

Many generations of descendants of Nampeyo of Hano have used designs on their pottery associated with those used by Nampeyo.  The entire Nampeyo family is associated with the revived Sikyatki pottery designs recreated by Nampeyo. The migration pattern is one that has frequently been used, both for its historical importance and for its popularity with collectors.

The migration pattern represents the migration of the Hopi through their spiritual journey to arrive at their location today.  That migration is represented by the many parallel lines in the design.

Elva Tewaguna Nampeyo (1926-1985) was a granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano and daughter of Fannie Nampeyo.  She has been gone over 35 years now so there are not many of her wares on the market, and there certainly are not many of this magnificence.  She was an exceptional potter and her work never deteriorated later in her life when she became ill. She certainly was one of the exceptional potters of her generation.

Elva was the mother of a family most of whom also became potters.  Her daughters were Miriam, Adelle, and Neva and her son was Elton. Elva's siblings were also potters.  They were Leah, Harold, Tonita, Tom, Ellsworth, and Iris.

This jar was beautifully formed of native clay from the Hopi village and all the paints are from mineral sources around the village.  There was nothing commercial used in the making of this vessel. It was fired in the traditional outdoor firing technique practiced by the Hopi for centuries.

Condition: this Hopi-Tewa Migration Pattern Pottery Seed Jar by Elva Nampeyo  is in very good condition

Provenance: from the Southwest Indian Pottery collection of a family from Oregon

Reference: Hopi-Tewa Pottery 500 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

Relative Links: Nampeyo of Hano, Elva Tewaguna Nampeyo, Fannie Nampeyo, Neva, Elton, Southwest Indian Pottery, Hopi Pueblo