The Art and Legacy of
Hopi Pottery

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | August 2025

Hopi pottery is a profound expression of Native American artistry, deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual traditions of the Hopi people, who have lived for over a thousand years on three mesas in northeastern Arizona. Known for its earthy tones, intricate designs, and handcrafted techniques, Hopi pottery reflects a harmonious balance between utility, artistry, and cultural heritage.

Today we feature our collection of Hopi Pottery, preserving the traditions the Hopi people have held for over a millennium. See our Hopi Pottery online at chimayotrading.com or in person at our gallery in the historic Saint Francis Church Plaza in Ranchos de Taos, NM.

Helen Naha “Feather Woman” (1922-1993) – 3″ x 5.5″, $1050

Hopi pottery traces its origins to the ancestors of the Hopi, known as the Hisatsinom or “People of Long Ago,” who began crafting pottery as early as 700 CE. These early pieces, often utilitarian or ceremonial, were made using the coil-and-scrape technique without the aid of pottery wheels or molds. Pots were shaped by hand, fired in outdoor earthen pits, and decorated with natural pigments derived from local plants and minerals. Early styles included black-on-white, black-on-red, and eventually polychrome designs, with the Sikyatki Polychrome (1400–1600 CE) representing a pinnacle of prehistoric Hopi pottery, known for its vibrant yellow hues and intricate patterns.

Rachel “Koo-Loo” Sahmie Nampeyo (1956-2022) – 7.5” x 3.5”, $750

By the early 19th century, Hopi pottery had declined due to external influences, including contact with Spanish missionaries and neighboring tribes like the Zuni, who introduced white-slip techniques known as Polacca Ware. However, a revival in the late 19th century, spurred by renewed interest from outsiders and the innovative work of Hopi-Tewa potter Nampeyo, brought Hopi pottery back to prominence.

Hopi Seed Pot by Dawn Navasie – 5″ x 11″, $950

Nampeyo (c. 1859–1942), born in the Hopi-Tewa village of Hano on First Mesa, is widely credited with revitalizing Hopi pottery. Nampeyo grew dissatisfied with the contemporary Polacca Ware opting instead for the iron-rich clay that fired to a smooth, golden-red surface, and revived the flowing, asymmetrical designs of Sikyatki Polychrome pottery.

Adelle Nampeyo – 3″ x 3.5″, $300

Nampeyo’s pots, with their elegant shapes and vibrant designs, gained widespread acclaim among collectors and traders, elevating Hopi pottery to a recognized art form. Her legacy continues through her descendants, including daughters Fannie and Annie Nampeyo, and modern potters like Adelle Nampeyo and Vernida Polacca Nampeyo, who carry forward her techniques and artistic vision.

Lolita Humetewa – 3″ x 5″, $250

Hopi pottery is crafted using methods passed down through generations, emphasizing a connection to the land and ancestral practices. The process begins with hand-digging clay from the Hopi mesas, which is then cleaned, sifted, and mixed with temper to strengthen the vessel. Potters use the coil-and-scrape technique, building pots by stacking clay coils and smoothing them with tools like gourds or wooden sticks. The surface is polished with a smooth stone to achieve a glossy finish.

Ethel Youvella – 4″ x 5.5″, $650

Designs are painted freehand using yucca leaf brushes and natural paints. Common motifs include migration patterns, eagle feathers, rain, mountains, and animals like turtles and lizards, each carrying cultural or spiritual significance. The pots are fired outdoors in open pits, using sheep dung and cedar for fuel, which produces the characteristic golden-red blushes due to the iron-rich clay. This traditional firing method, preferred over modern kilns, enhances the pottery’s distinctive aesthetic.

Ladel by Lucy Makie, ca.1940 – 4.5″ x 6″, $350

Hopi pottery is more than an art form; it is a reflection of the tribe’s heritage, spirituality, and respect for the environment. Historically a women’s craft, pottery-making fostered social and familial connections among Hopi women, who gathered clay, shared techniques, and passed knowledge to younger generations. Today, both men and women create pottery and the designs often symbolize elements of Hopi life, such as migration (representing ancestral journeys), eagles (symbolizing strength), and butterfly maidens (linked to fertility and renewal).

Garrett Maho – 5.5″ x 6″, $980

Hopi pottery is more than an art form; it is a reflection of the tribe’s heritage, spirituality, and respect for the environment. Historically a women’s craft, pottery-making fostered social and familial connections among Hopi women, who gathered clay, shared techniques, and passed knowledge to younger generations. Today, both men and women create pottery and the designs often symbolize elements of Hopi life, such as migration (representing ancestral journeys), eagles (symbolizing strength), and butterfly maidens (linked to fertility and renewal).

Tom Polacca – 9.5” x 8”, $1980

Ceremonial pottery used in rituals and not typically sold, holds sacred significance while utilitarian pieces like seed jars, wedding vases, and bowls serve practical purposes. The wedding vase with its two spouts and looped handle, symbolizes the unity of marriage and is still used in some Hopi wedding ceremonies. Through these creations Hopi potters maintain a connection to their ancestors and the land. Modern Hopi potters continue to honor traditional methods while introducing new shapes and techniques. Historic and Contemporary Hopi pottery is sold through galleries such as Chimayo Trading.

Hopi Seed Pot by Delmar Polacca, First Mesa – 2” x 3.75”, $350

The Hopi pottery tradition remains a living art form, with potters mentoring younger generations to ensure its survival while showcasing the diversity and excellence of Hopi pottery, from Nampeyo’s historic pieces to modern creations.

Mabel Dashee – 4.5″ x 4″, $195

Hopi pottery is a testament to the resilience and creativity of the Hopi people, blending ancient techniques with artistic innovation. From its utilitarian origins to the Sikyatki Revival led by Nampeyo, this art form encapsulates the tribe’s cultural heritage and deep connection to the land. Today, Hopi pottery continues to thrive, bridging past and present while inspiring collectors and artists worldwide. Its enduring beauty lies not only in its craftsmanship but also in its ability to tell the story of a people who have preserved their traditions for over a millennium.

Patricia Honie – 7″ x 8.5″, $650

Ethel Youvella – 7.5″ x 6″, $650

Hopi-Tewa ca.1930s – 3.5″ x 10″, $895

Adelle Nampeyo – 8″ x .25″, $270

Elva Nampeyo ca.1960s – 5.25″ x 6.75″, $550

Rachel “Koo-Loo” Sahmie Nampeyo (1956-2022) ca.1980s – 5″ x 5.25″, $900

Gloria Kahe – 4.5″ x 4.75″, $450

Frieda Poleahla – 3.25” x 4”, $125

Fannie Nampeyo – 2.75″ x 3″, $450

Annette Silas ca.1930s – 2.5″ x 4″, $175

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#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

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Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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