Nampeyo's Pottery-Manufacturing Stages

A Hopi woman sits on the ground in the beginning stages of making a pot.

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.

Gladwin also took photographs of part of the process he witnessed. Nampeyo is shown fully in only one the five photos.

a woman is sitting on the ground, outside the doorway of a dwelling, kneading clay in the sun

Photographs of Nampeyo demonstrating pottery making to Harold Gladwin, Gila Pueblo Foundation Director, when he commissioned a set of “stages” from her, 1926. Photographer presumed to be Gladwin. Gila Pueblo Papers, MS 15, Box 35, f. 6. ASM Archives.

a woman makes a clay coil between her hands in order to add it to the bowl she has begun making
a woman is hand building a bowl using the coil-and-scrape method
a woman adds a coil to the rim of the bowl she is making
a woman smooths the side of a bowl she is hand building in clay

 

four ceramic bows lined in a row showing stages of manufacture
two ceramic vessels lined in a row, showing two stage of manufacture
an unfired polished bowl
"Nampeyo" signature on the bottom of an unfired polished bowl
a polychrome bowl showing much wear

 

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.

black-on-red shallow bowl

Black-on-red shallow bowl, collected 1926. Diameter 21.3 cm. (ASM #GP-899-x-9).

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

Another, more complete set is in the collection of the Milwaukee Public Museum along with photos of Nampeyo at work.

 
A Hopi woman sits on the ground in the beginning stages of making a pot.
A Hopi woman sits on the ground in the beginning stages of making a pot.
A Hopi woman sits on the ground in the beginning stages of making a pot.
a view of a museum exhibit showcasing a large number of pots by Nampeyo
Gallery of Nampeyo Pottery | Timeline of Nampeyo's Life
Quotskuyva Family Commentary | A Nampeyo Showcase Home
Additional ASM Pottery with Possible Nampeyo Attributions | Daughters in Clay
References and Acknowledgements