Two Hopi-Style Pottery Vessels on Navajo Weaving
Case study of three Indigenous North American craft objects: Two ceramic seed jars/vessels and one textile weaving • One ceramic signed 'Taah Des Baah' (Navajo/Diné potter); companion bird vessel in Hopi-Tewa style (likely Nampeyo family school); textile in the Navajo (Diné) tradition
Style & Movement
Native American Southwest Art; Pueblo Pottery and Navajo Weaving
Medium & Technique
Hand-coiled clay with mineral pigments (ceramics); hand-spun wool with natural and synthetic dyes, hand-woven on a vertical loom (textile)
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (estimated 1970–1990) based on the clarity of the signature and the color palette of the rug
Dimensions & Format
Small-scale cabinet pieces; vessels approx. 3-5 inches in diameter; rug fragment or small mat format
Subject Description
The potteries feature traditional iconography: one with a polychrome bird motif (possibly a thunderbird or swallow) and the other a minimalist white-slipped form. The textile features geometric serrated diamonds and terraced borders typical of regional Navajo patterns.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible surface scuffing and carbon tracking on the base of the white vessel
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 USD (for the collective group)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via the Southwest regional trade market (e.g., Santa Fe or Gallup) as indicated by the 'Taah Des Baah' signature, a known name in Diné pottery
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the mid-to-late 20th-century revival of traditional Indigenous crafts for the collector market, bridging ancestral techniques with modern decorative appeal
Notable Features
Clear handwritten signature 'Taah Des Baah' on the white vessel; fine-line painting on the bird vessel suggestive of Hopi influence on Navajo potters
Condition Issues
Light shelf wear on ceramic bases; minor soiling on the white slip; possible light fading on textile fibers due to UV exposure
Conservation Recommendations
Store in a pH-neutral environment; avoid handling ceramics by the rim; keep textile out of direct sunlight and away from moths; dry brush only