Nellie Douma
(d.)
Batwing Bowl
3 3/4"
H x 5 1/2" D
This piece comes to us through
a special collection of vintage Hopi pottery obtained in the
early years when potters did not sign their works. The provenance
provided comes directly from the original owner who purchased
these pieces from the artists themselves during his stay at Hopi
during the mid twentieth century.
Like the other potters featured
in this collection, Nellie was from the village of Hano at First
Mesa. She relied on her pottery as a supplemental income, but
maintained a traditional life in the Hopi sense.
The fine line designs are
reminiscient of the Nampeyo era, and pay homage to the woman
who has been credited with reviving Pueblo pottery as an art
form in the last decade.
With all the fire clouds and
imperfections, these pieces capture all that is original about
traditional Hopi pottery making, and are valuable ethnographic
materials.