Lyle Tayson: Hopi Pottery Making

Artist: Lyle Tayson
1924 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1977
Image Size: 13 by 17 inches
Overall Size: 18 by 22 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

Approximately 6500 Hopi Indians live on and around three mesas in northeastern Arizona, far removed from the remainder of the Pueblo world. Their name derives from hopitu, which means "peaceful." Rather than residing in a single pueblo, the Hopis populate a dozen or so villages, scattered miles apart. One such village, Oraiba, is the oldest continuously-occupied settlement in today's United States. For more than six centuries Hopi pottery has featured yellow and orange decorations with bold designs often featuring Kachinas. Approximately seventy miles to the southwest of the Hopi villages rise the San Francisco Peaks, spiritual home of the kachinas, divine beings who serve as media between man and the gods. During festivals, Hopi priests take on the spirit and appearance of the various kachinas. Wearing brightly painted masks, the priests teach religion and citizenship to the tribal youngsters -- who are also taught by similarly decorated kachina dolls. The kachinas can take on any form -- clown, bird, animal, demon or ogre. Kachina dolls, as small as a few inches or as large as two feet or more, are traditionally carved from the root of the cottonwood. Throughout the year, kachina dolls hang on the walls of Hopi huts, where they serve as constant reminders of life's important lessons that must be learned. Whereas most pieces of Pueblo pottery have concave bases, Hopi vessels more commonly feature flat bases, although they are sometimes convex.

This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood® First Day Cover for the U.S. 13¢ Hopi Pueblo Pottery Making stamp issued April 12, 1977.

Artwork Copyright © 1977 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

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