Hopi-Tewa Small Polychrome Exquisite Pottery Jar by Dextra Nampeyo [SOLD]

This beautifully executed jar is an early example of Dextra Nampeyo experimenting with new concepts and traditional Hopi-Tewa Sikyatki-revival designs.  She built an absolutely beautiful vessel shape, polished it to a fine burnish and then applied a simple design of a Sikyatki-inspired bird. She kept her design limited to the single element so the beauty of the jar itself shown.  Dextra was the most innovative potter of the Nampeyo family of Hopi-Tewa potters. She never hesitated to experiment with form or design. Her craftsmanship was flawless. She was a favorite of many potters and will be missed by many.

Dextra Nampeyo grew up in a household of potters who worked every day, making pottery to sell to tourists, dealers and museums. Her mother was Rachel Namingha and her grandmother was Annie Healing, oldest daughter of Nampeyo of Hano. Nampeyo was still alive when Dextra was born and Dextra got to know her great grandmother for a dozen years before Nampeyo passed away. As a young child, Dextra did what all young girls did—she helped gather and process clay. She later was allowed to fill in designs that were drawn on pottery. This was the learning process for young girls who would be a future generation of potters.

Dextra Quotskuyva Nampeyo (1928- 2019) was encouraged by her mother, Rachel, to produce the traditional Sikyatki designs as other Nampeyo family members were doing. As a respectful daughter, Dextra did what her mother requested. After Rachel passed away in 1985, Dextra then began expanding her repertoire and developed her style of designs with which she would become known for the rest of her career.  The jar is signed Dextra and has a corn logo. 

Condition: this Hopi-Tewa Small Polychrome Exquisite Pottery Jar by Dextra Nampeyo is in very good condition

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Atlanta, Georgia

Recommended Reading: Painted Perfection: The Pottery of Dextra Quotskuyva by Martha Struever (1931 - 2017)

Relative Links: Nampeyo of Hano, Annie Healing Nampeyo, Rachel Namingha, Hopi Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Dextra Quotskuyva Nampeyo