Hopi-Tewa Seed Jar by Feather Woman [SOLD]

Helen Naha (Feather Woman) was a member of the Spider Clan. She was the daughter-in-law of Paqua Naha (the first Frog Woman). She was married to Paqua’s son, Archie. At first, she followed the style of her mother-in-law and her sister-in-law, Joy Navasie. She eventually developed her own distinctive style, using black and red paint on a white slip to create bold designs.  Often, she would take the effort and time to polish the inside of a pot as well as the outside. She signed her pottery with a feather glyph, resulting in her being called “Feather Woman.” Both of her daughters, Sylvia and Rainy, as well as her granddaughter, Tyra Naha have followed in her footsteps.

This distinctive piece is easily identifiable as a Feather Woman creation. The white slip has been carefully polished in the style for which Helen was known. The underbody and shoulder are painted with mirroring star shaped designs. The interior of each star is filled with fine-line cross-hatching, rendered with perfection.  Each arm of the star is separated by a positive-negative spiral. The top and bottom are separated by an interlocking step pattern. It is signed on the bottom with her hallmark feather glyph.

Condition: Excellent Condition

Provenance: this Hopi-Tewa Seed Jar by Feather Woman is from a Santa Fe Collector

Recommended Reading: Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies by Greg and Angie Schaff