2009-13 Seedpot – Monochromatic Batwing Design

Bat Wing Design

Object ID:
2009-13

Artist:
Irene Gilbert Shupla

Dimensions:
2.875” h X 5.75” w

As with classic Nampeyo pots, the design of this jar is dynamic because of internal tensions in the design. The bat wing design both thrusts down and swings up. The pointed and curved black elements of design, which pull the eye down, counterbalance the upward thrust of the wing tips. The linear black designs between the curved shapes also thrust down, but their lighter, open linearity contradicts the solid curved elements. This is a version of the Nampeyo family batwing design used by (among others) Fannie (see 2008-01 and 2009-14) and James G. Nampeyo (see 1992-08).

Irene was one of the “fine potters” whose work was recognized in a 1936 article about Hopi pottery (Bartlett, 1936:96).

For other pots in the collection with versions of the batwing design, see the Category List.

Purchase History:
Purchased on 6/17/09 on eBay from Kathleen Hoff, of Greenwood Village, CO. She is selling a collection of pottery for her brother, Rutt Bridges of Denver, CO. He has assembled a collection of “over 2,000 pieces over the past 14 years and sold the loft he used to display most of the pottery. Neither of us have felt good about the pottery being in storage so we are selling a lot of it.”