Hopi Pottery Basket with Shard Design by Louden Silas

This charming traditional Hopi pottery basket was made by Louden Silas from First Mesa in the Hopi nation. She is a talented artist in many medias, a wonderful wife & mother, & an active & respected member of her native community! This was formed using traditional methods & materials. She handbuilt it with coils of local clay, that was smoothed & polished before decorating it with handpainted shard designs wrapping the rim & accenting the handle. The paints were prepared with ground pigments from minerals & plants gathered on the land. It was pit fired outside using wood, an ancient process in which many pots don't survive the stresses of the firing. There is some subtle evidence of Hopi "fire bloom" on the piece, where the fire adds beautiful random blushes of color to the surface. This phenomenon is sometimes seen on Hopi pottery. The base is signed: Louden Silas, Hopi, Polacca, AZ 86042. This measures approx 4.75” H x 4.5” W x 4” D. Lovely piece from this traditional Hopi potter! 

Excellent condition. I found one teeny area of loss that is barely there & is not an issue, as shown. Priced accordingly.

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