Hopi Polacca polychrome jar
Hopi Polacca polychrome jar
8 3/8” diameter x 6 1/8” high
excellent condition
circa 1880-1890s
ex: Sotheby’s, 1987; Marcy Burns Collection
SOLD
(p87-1)
The Polacca period of Hopi pottery starts about 1700 and continues until circa 1890. There are different periods within the Polacca period but this pot appears to be circa 1880--1890 to my eye. Please note the surface crackle of the slip. This crackle is a characteristic of Hopi Polacca pottery. Also present in this pot are designs that are associated with Sikyatki pottery. Note that the bottom of this jar is rounded, another earlier characteristic.
The earlier Polacca pots are generally less sophisticated in design. The division of this pot into four fields of design, the beautiful shape and outward curve of the rim, etc. indicate the the pot was made by a sophisticated and highly skilled potter.