Hopi Jar with Sikyatki Designs with Hopi Villages Label Attributed to Nampeyo

This beautifully formed Hopi jar features classic Sikyatki revival designs and a rich, dark patina that speaks to its age. Attributed to Nampeyo of Hano, the piece exhibits hallmarks of her mature style: strong symmetrical form, confident linework, and a keen sense of balance between shape and surface decoration.

Painted in red and black on a yellow clay body, the design is framed above and below by a bold line that encircles the shoulder of the jar. Six repeated Sikyatki-inspired motifs are evenly spaced around the vessel, each contained in its own compartment. This kind of measured repetition and spatial organization is a signature of Nampeyo's precise painting style. The motifs themselves, angular and abstract, are consistent with many of her known works.

A firecloud on the side of the vessel further reinforces its traditional outdoor firing technique, adding character and authenticity. The underside bears a partial "Hopi Villages" paper label, which was originally used by the Fred Harvey Company in the early 20th century to promote and sell Native American pottery and crafts to tourists traveling the Santa Fe Railway. While the label alone does not confirm authorship, it is often associated with pottery made by Nampeyo and other recognized artists who supplied work to Harvey's Indian Department.

Taken as a whole, this jar demonstrates the masterful craftsmanship and aesthetic judgment of one of the most celebrated Hopi potters. The form is elegant and sturdy, the designs carefully rendered, and the surface glow enriched by decades of handling and time.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: This Hopi Jar with Sikyatki Designs with Hopi Villages Label Attributed to Nampeyo is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery.

Recommended Reading: Canvas of Clay: Seven Centuries of Hopi Ceramic Art by Edwin L. Wade and Allan Cooke

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, Fannie Polacca Nampeyo, Nellie Nampeyo Douma, Annie Healing Nampeyo, Nampeyo of Hano, Hopi-Tewa Potter and Matriarch