Hopi-Tewa Large Pottery Jar with Moth Designs by Grace Chapella [SOLD]

This large pottery jar was made by Hopi-Tewa potter Grace Chapella.  We have handled many of Chapella’s works over the years. This is one of the finest we’ve seen, and it’s also one of the most unique.  Its atypical shape—not quite a seed jar and not quite a water jar, we’d say—is gorgeous. With its widest point falling at about a third of the way down its seven vertical inches, it feels more like a scaled-down storage jar than anything else.  The rim, which points directly inward and does not flare up, contributes to this “miniature storage jar” look. It is an elegant and beautiful shape.

The design work is exceptional.  Chapella’s signature moth designs circle the upper half.  The moth appears five times, with variations in color and design.  Strong geometric patterns surround the moths and cover the majority of the jar’s underbody.  Some of these designs, according to Chapella's great-grandson Mark Tahbo, have special significance.  While educating us on the intricacies of a previously listed Chapella jar, Tahbo pointed out designs and identified their inspiration.  Thanks to his knowledge, we see designs that represent the three mesas, corn fields and rain. We also know that the squared spirals represent birds.  The jar looks and feels like an older piece in every way. This is an exceptionally beautiful Hopi-Tewa jar.

Grace Chapella (1874-1980) White Squash Blossom was a neighbor of Nampeyo of Hano, who was 14 years her senior, and credits Nampeyo with teaching her the techniques of Southwest Indian pottery making.  Having lived for over a century—she passed away at age 107—Chapella (pronounced Tsepela) witnessed many changes in her life on the Hopi mesa where she lived. She was a youngster at a time before trading posts and tourists were introduced to the reservation and lived to see both flourish and the demand for pottery grow at leaps and bounds.  Although her pottery, and that of others at First Mesa, is referred to as Hopi pottery, technically it is Hopi-Tewa pottery as the residents of Hano Village at First Mesa are of Tewa clans. Many of Chapella's designs are from the Sikyatki ruins. The butterfly (or moth) design is the one most identified with her. The butterfly or moth is now considered as belonging to the Chapella family.  Her daughter Alma Tahbo, granddaughter Deanna Tahbo, and great-grandson Mark Tahbo have continued to use it on their pottery.

Condition: a rim chip has been professionally repaired.  There are small abrasions around the widest point, and the jar’s bottom has been worn down.

Provenance: this Hopi-Tewa Large Pottery Jar with Moth Designs by Grace Chapella is from the collection of a resident of Georgia.

Recommended Reading: Hopi Traditions in Pottery and Painting Honoring Grace Chapella, Potter.  Masters Gallery, Alhambra, CA, February 25 - April 3, 1977