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A Hopi polychrome jar image 1
A Hopi polychrome jar image 2
Lot 308

A Hopi polychrome jar

6 – 7 June 2016, 11:00 PDT
San Francisco

Sold for US$23,750 inc. premium

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A Hopi polychrome jar

Attributed to Nampeyo, boldly decorated with four opposing panels of feathers and scrolling devices, alternating with pendant T-forms and wing motifs, an old tag remaining on the bottom: "Nampey (sic) #8923 $12.00".
height 8 3/4in, diameter 16 1/2in

Footnotes

The attribution to Nampeyo of Hano is reasoned in a letter from Dr. Ed Wade, at that time associated with the Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa, OK. "I have known about the Hopi vessel you have recently acquired for several years. In fact, I was contacted about its authenticity as a Nampeyo three or four years ago by Jonathan Holstein of New York. As I explained at that time, I have no reason, because of stylistic analysis, to doubt that it is likely the work of Nampeyo, although I am among the most conservative scholars when it comes to the identity of potters associated with anonymous works." Dr. Wade follows with a step-by-step review of critical stylistic tendencies of both form and decoration, finishing with "This is an excellent Hopi vessel with challenging and intriguing compositional innovations. It is among the finest vessels created by Hopi ceramicists of the 20th century. If it happens to also be a Nampeyo, which I don't doubt, all the more power to it historically. However, as to being a great pot, it can stand on its own."


Additional information

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