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First People Pots

an online catalog of 500+ pieces of Native American artwork owned by a private collector, described by Cowboys & Indians Magazine as “a valuable resource for collectors, galleries, and scholars.”

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2025-04:  A simple utility ladle

2025-04: A simple utility ladle

1.625” width of handle. 0.4375” thickness of handle 0.125” thickness of bowl. 1.0” depth of bowl. This is a well-formed, simple, utility ladle by Edith Nash.  She was active in the 1940’s through the 1970’s.  This is not...

2025-03  Avian effigy pot of a Hopi penguin

2025-03 Avian effigy pot of a Hopi penguin

This large effigy is more pot than bird, perhaps the image of a flightless Hopi penguin.   It joins three other avian effigies in this collection: 1) 2019-06  by Michael Hawley, who was not Native, 2)...

2025-02   Three katsinas carved plate

2025-02 Three katsinas carved plate

Katsinas are powerful spirits that bring instruction and blessings to the people at Hopi.  The inventive tripartite carving on this plate highlights this power.  This plate is kiln-fired and thus lacks the blushing given...

2025-01  Late 19th century Tawa ladle

2025-01 Late 19th century Tawa ladle

The handle is 2.125” wide at its widest. The handle is 0.6875” thick. The bowl is 0.25” thick. The bowl is 1.875” deep. Small and worn, this ladle displays an image of the Creator Tawa.  This image has a history, both at Hopi and in...

2024-11: Large canteen with complex swirling birds

2024-11: Large canteen with complex swirling birds

  The spout is 1.5" long. Each handle extends 1.25" from the body and is 3.1875" high. Karen Charlie is a fine potter and this large canteen is the form, size and design for which she is best known. The size of...

2024-10: Effigy figure of female dancer with tabula

2024-10: Effigy figure of female dancer with tabula

  The body of the dancer is 1.625" deep. The base of the figure is roughly 2-inches square. While the first two items by Darlene that entered this collection are jars (1988-02 and 1989-02), she has become better...