Jean Sahme Hopi Pueblo Upright Polychrome Pottery Canteen with Kachina Image [SOLD\

Hopi Pueblo artist Jean Sahme Nampeyo has a very artistic style of designs on pottery, and that is exactly what she did when creating this striking canteen.  A historic Sikyátki style used in conjunction with the timeless content of what appears to be the Salako Mana Kachina covers the entire canteen face, and is repeated on its remaining side.  The Salako Mana Kachina’s intent is to bring clouds and prosperity.  Its large size, precise, polychrome pictorials and suede strapping set this canteen apart from most, if not all.  

Jean Sahme Nampeyo (1948 – ) Sak’Honsee - Tobacco Flower Girl, Hopi/Tewa, is a daughter of Priscilla Namingha Nampeyo and the granddaughter of Rachel Namingha Nampeyo. Her great grandmother was Annie Healing Nampeyo, whose mother was Nampeyo of Hano.  Jean has seven siblings, all of whom are potters or Katsina doll carvers. Her brothers and sisters are Nyla Sahmie, Rachel Sahmie, Bonnie Chapella, Randy Sahmie, Andrew Sahmie, Foster Sahmie and Finkle Sahmie. Jean is the only member of the family who signs her name Sahme rather than Sahmie.  

She signs with a corn plant and a fish.  The corn plant stalk represents the Hopi-Tewa Corn Clan of which Jean is a member. The four leaves represent her two children and her two grandchildren whom Jean mentored. Jean started potting in 1965 but is no longer producing pottery.  Her work can be found in various galleries, private collections, museums, colleges, and universities in the United States and around the world. In 2014 Jean became an Arizona Living Treasure.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance:  this Jean Sahme Hopi Pueblo Upright Polychrome Pottery Canteen with Kachina Image is from the estate of Henry Christensen, former attorney at law of New York City who purchased it at the August 2002 Indian Market from the artist.

Reference: HOPI AND HOPI-TEWA POTTERY Published in Plateau, volume 49, Museum of Northern Arizona

Relative Links: Hopi/Tewa, Priscilla Namingha Nampeyo, Rachel Namingha Nampeyo, Annie Healing Nampeyo, Nampeyo of Hano, Rachel Sahmie, Andrew Sahmie, Southwest Indian Pottery, Jean Sahme Nampeyo