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9 1/2"
in diameter by 3 1/2" high with a 2 1/2" opening
$600
plus shipping & insurance
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This fine example of Hopi pottery was created by Dee
Setalla, a 36 year old, third generation potter who is part of the Navasie family of potters. The Navasie family
includes such luminaries as: Joy Navasie (Frog Woman), Helen Naha (Feather Woman), and Burel Naha.
The pot is totally hand-coiled and fired in the traditional manner, outdoors in a wood fire. The firing of this
pot has produced an intentional effect of shadings in the underlying colors. The shadings range from a beautiful
orange color to a buff/tan color. The shadings are called "clouds" and it is a desirable effect from
the firing.
This particular pot features many Hopi symbols, including corn,
bahos, which represents
a prayer for the Thunderbird to bring rain and moisture, crops, bean sprouts, corn and prayer sticks. Also, there
are four sections of black with white squiggly lines that represent snow. Snow is important to the Hopi to help bring
moisture in the spring. Below the equator is a bold thick line encircling the pot.
Dee Setalla is one of the few Hopi potters from Mishongnovi, Arizona on Second Mesa. He was 7 years old when he
began the art of pottery, and has been creating pots since 1970. Dee states in "Hopi-Tewa Potters". that
he takes a "spiritual approach to pottery making", and credits his mother Pauline and his aunt Fawn Navasie
for their philosophy on pottery making.
Dee has won numerous awards including "First Place" at the 1997 Indian Market in Santa
Fe and "Honorable
Mention" at the 1998 Market in Santa Fe. Dee's work is featured in many books, including "Fourteen Families"
on page 79, in "Hopi-Tewa Potters" on page 148-149, and he is featured very prominently in "The
Art of the Hopi" on page 118, 125-126.
This fine pot is signed: "D. S.,
Hopi" and includes Dee's hallmark bear claw symbol.
In Hopi-Tewa Pottery, Dee states: "When working with the clay, it's like you're bringing it to life. You must
treat it with respect. You treat it like you are raising a child, and guide it through the growing stages. It's
not just steps out of tradition, but a personal nurturing as well."
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