Auction
Artist Hopi
Fannie Nampeyo
The life and work of Fannie Nampeyo
At a glance
Fannie Nampeyo (1900–1987) was a renowned Hopi-Tewa potter, the youngest daughter of the legendary Nampeyo of Hano, who revived ancient Sikyátki-style pottery in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Fannie carried forward her mother's legacy, becoming one of the most accomplished potters in the Nampeyo family. She often collaborated with her mother in later years, painting vessels as Nampeyo's eyesight failed, and developed her own masterful style featuring precise, bold designs on well-formed pots.
Her polychrome jars — fired with creamy slips and painted in red, brown, black, and orange hues — frequently showcase the iconic migration pattern, symbolizing the Hopi people's journey through the four worlds. This design, with its hooked "bird wing" or "eagle tail" elements and fine linework, became one of Fannie's signatures. Many of her jars are signed "Fannie Nampeyo" on the base, often with a corn clan symbol.
Signatures & hallmarks
Works by Fannie Nampeyo
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AuctionPotteryEstimate:$610 to $990 -
PotteryHopi Pottery Bowl by Fannie Nampeyo
$755.00