Hopi cylinder with two variations of the Kwataka man-eagle design, 1920s or 1930s. In contrast to the perfect rendition of this design by Gloria Kahe (1991-01) or the simplification of the design to just to birds by Nampeyo (1988-01), the two renditions of the man-eagle design on 1998-06 is much more whimsical and spontaneous. One side of 1998-06 preserves all the essential elements (head, body core and wings) of the Sikyatki design, but the bird/wings are emphasized and only tenuously attached to the body core. The second side eliminates the body core altogether and replaces it with a harp-like simple element. See also, 2003-14. When considered with Lena Charlie’s variation (1998-06), these pots collectively demonstrate how a powerful Sikyatki design has been adopted and interpreted in a myriad of ways by modern Hopi-Tewa potters. I love this pot. The care and whimsy of its design makes me smile, even on a bad day.
See “Man Eagle” in the Category List for a complete listing of pots in this collection using variations of this design.