Nampeyo demonstrating pottery making, Milwaukee Public Museum, 30570, 6640, 6645.
In July 1926, Gila Pueblo Director Harold Gladwin purchased a set of unfired and fired pottery from Nampeyo that was meant to represent different stages in the manufacturing process (ASM #GP-899). The set consists of a mix of shapes and thus does not strictly follow one continuous process from start to finish. Of particular interest is the painted signature on a polished, unfired bowl. Although Gladwin does not mention it, one of Nampeyo’s daughters may well have drawn the Nampeyo name on this bowl for this commissioned set.
Another more-complete set is in the collection of the Milwaukee Public Museum along with photos of Nampeyo at work.
Nampeyo demonstrating pottery making, Milwaukee Public Museum, 30570, 6640, 6645.
Nampeyo demonstrating pottery making, Milwaukee Public Museum, 30570, 6640, 6645.
Nampeyo demonstrating pottery making, Milwaukee Public Museum, 30570, 6640, 6645.
Nampeyo pottery exhibit at Milwaukee Public Museum, showing the vessels’ stages of manufacture.
Nampeyo pottery, showing the vessels’ stages of manufacture. GP-899-x-1 through -x-4. Diameter of x-1: 11.2 cm.
Nampeyo pottery, showing the vessels’ stages of manufacture. GP-899-x-5 and x-6. Diameter of x-5: 18.5 cm.
Unfired polished bowl by Nampeyo (it is signed on the bottom). Diameter 23.7 cm. (GP-899-x-7).
“Nampeyo” signature painted on unfired polished bowl. Diameter 23.7 cm. (GP-899-x-7).
This “stage,” consisting of a fired and somewhat battered bowl, may simply have been included for good measure. Polychrome bowl. Diameter 24.5 cm. (ASM #GP-899-x-8).
Black-on-red shallow bowl, collected 1926. Diameter 21.3 cm. (ASM #GP-899-x-9).
This bowl, which is included in the Nampeyo manufacturing series, is the only example of red ware at ASM recorded as having been made by Nampeyo. It bears a central stylized bird motif common to the late prehistoric Sikyatki wares. One of Nampeyo’s daughters—perhaps Annie, who was known to make black-on-red pottery—could have been the painter of this bowl. 21.3 cm. diameter.
There's clay that's red, yellow clay, but when they fire it turns, it’s red. Not gray clay. It's yellow. It's already yellow in this stage. And that pot is the yellow clay. Dextra Quotskuyva