ticketsMember | Make a donation

Polacca polychrome water jar

Nampeyo Native American
ca. 1895–1900
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 746
The peoples of the American Southwest believe in a complex mythology around the vitality of the unpredictable desert landscape and especially the life-giving power of rainwater and mountains. Their hand-built pottery features imagery that reflects their deep spirituality. Nampeyo was the first Southwest potter to become recognized by name outside her Hopi community and is renowned for her technical skills and aesthetic sensibility. Her career as a fine artist was supported by private and institutional collectors. On this vessel created for such clientele, she depicts katsinam (spirit beings) with variations in headdresses and colors in an arching, rectangular double-line frame.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Polacca polychrome water jar
  • Artist: Nampeyo (Native American, Hopi-Tewa, ca. 1859–1942)
  • Date: ca. 1895–1900
  • Geography: Made in Arizona, United States
  • Culture: Hopi-Tewa, Native American
  • Medium: Clay and pigment
  • Dimensions: 12 × 13 1/2 in. (30.5 × 34.3 cm)
  • Credit Line: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of Native American Art, Gift of Valerie-Charles Diker Fund, 2017
  • Object Number: 2017.718.8
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Jar, Nampeyo Native American, Ceramic
Jar
Nampeyo
ca. 1910
Returned to lender
Nampeyo
ca. 1907–1910
Black-on-Black Jar, Maria Martínez Native American, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Clay and slip, San Ildefonso, Native American
Black-on-Black Jar
Maria Martínez
Julián Martínez
1919–20
Dave (later recorded as David Drake) ; made at Stony Bluff Manufactory, Old Edgefield District, Sout American, Alkaline-glazed stoneware, American
Dave (later recorded as David Drake)
Stony Bluff Manufactory
1858
Powhoge polychrome storage jar, Clay and pigment, Tewa, Native American
Powhoge polychrome storage jar
Tewa, Native American
ca. 1790

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.