Description

This gorgeous jar has been traditionally hand built with coils of native clay and hand painted with mineral and vegetal paints. It was then pit fired to a deep warm, golden hue. It is quite detailed each of the motifs being repeated on four times. Dee Setalla learned his exceptional skills from his mother, Pauline, and his aunt Eunice “Fawn” Navasie, who are all are members of the Frog Woman/Feather Woman family (historically some of the finest Hopi pottery makers).

Dee’s style is unique with bold designs incorporating excellent painting techniques and strongly defined forms. His pottery utilizes many traditional designs, as well as some very contemporary looks. This combination almost gives his work an old-style appearance. This large, gorgeous jar exemplifies all of these qualities.

Dee shared information about a few of the design symbols on this gorgeous vase:

Hummingbird figure signifies new life and happiness.
You have the dark corn (checker board) and the spirit corn which will bring good blessings to everyone.
You have the migration which will carry blessing to all four corners of the world.
The line with the dots in the middle are sun rays with rain droplets for long happy life.
The bear claw is for healing and strength.
The line with the dots is the prayer knot which carries the prayer feather that is used for prayers and           blessings.
The sacred peaks where Hopi go to give their offerings.
The red step is either red cloud or pueblo meaning friendship and warmth.

Condition: Excellent – original condition – new.
Provenance: Purchased directly from the artist.