This is a simple and somewhat thick shallow bowl of undistinguished form.
It is interesting in this collection because it is signed “Grace” for “Grace Chapella” and this offers the collection a rendition of the “bird hanging from sky band” design that is by a well-known Hopi/Tewa potter, but this is an example not done by a member of the Nampeyo family.
The red lunette at the bottom extends less than 20% of the way across the painted service, noticelbly less than is generally true of Nampeyo and Nampeyo-family renditions of this design. Two linear tail feathers are in contrast with the upper 60% of curvilinear elements, thus providing visual tension. Given the bulk of curved elements, Grace’s rendition has a stong counter-clockwise motion.
The design on bowl 2014-14 omits a central “butterfly” element that is usually seen when this design is by Nampeyo or her descendents. Similarly Grace does not use negative space to frame her design, a Nampeyo characteristic.
Overall Grace’s design seems crowed and strong. The painting, particularly the red color, seems a bit rushed.
