A Century of Hopi-Tewa Pottery: From Nampeyo of Hano to Mark Tahbo

Legendary Hopi matriarch Nampeyo of Hano used designs created by her prehistoric ancestors to bring Hopi pottery to the masses in the early 1900s.  Today, Hopi potters like Mark Tahbo use Nampeyo’s designs as inspiration for their new works.  This exhibit, which features works by both of these potters and many others who produced between them, will showcase the ways that today’s artists continue to be influenced by those of yesteryear.

With this exhibit, we wish to shine a light on the link between New Mexico Pueblo Indians and the pottery being produced today at Hopi. The majority of the potters whose works we feature in this exhibit are Hopi-Tewa people—the descendants of those who migrated to Hopi from New Mexico’s Tano Pueblo in the 1690s.

The Pueblo Revolt of 1680 did not end the reign of the Spanish over the Pueblo peoples. The Walpi villagers, who were subject to constant harassment from the Spanish, visited Tano Pueblo in New Mexico to propose an alliance. The Tano people, who were suffering from Spanish harassment and a crippling lack of resources, joined forces with the Walpi, moving to a village atop First Mesa. The Walpi and Tano peoples were, together, better equipped to fight off invading Spanish settlers and nomadic Indian tribes. These Tano Indians, who originally lived just south of Santa Fe, became the Hopi-Tewa people: the world-renowned potters whose works we celebrate in this exhibit.

This interesting bit of history is worth mentioning because we, as residents of Santa Fe and collectors of Native American art, are fascinated by New Mexico and its Native inhabitants. Learning about the origins of their artworks is as great a joy as enjoying the artworks themselves.  We proudly present this exhibit of pottery from the Hopi Mesas because, quite simply, we are drawn to the beauty of the artwork. The stories behind the artwork, even when filled with tension and conflict, are vital parts of this beauty. We want to celebrate the pottery’s past and present with the friends, clients, and colleagues who share so freely with us.

A Century of Hopi-Tewa Pottery Catalog (click here to download and view now)