Pot with Geometric Design
by Alta Yesslith, Hopi Pueblo
clay, pigment
4 5/8” high x 6 1/2” diameter
Alta Yesslith was born in Keams Canyon, Arizona and attended boarding school at Keams Canyon on the Hopi Reservation.
Alta makes many different shapes of pottery. She can bring in a wedding vase one day and another day bring a large bowl. You will find her hand coiled work designed with traditional motifs painted on using yucca leaf brushes. The pottery is made from clay products, formed, sanded and is usually polished. There are several colors of pottery, the majority is beige or tan color, some are white, and there is also a red to pink color. The designs are usually of parrots, eagles, roadrunners, eagle tail, migration patterns, pueblo style villages, kiva designs, rain and rain clouds, lightning, water waves, and other life germinating symbols like corn.
Alta is the sister of Perry Navasie, niece of Eloise Navasie and daughter-in-law of Joy Navasie (Frog Woman)….the long line of Hopi potters.
Her husband, Dan Tsinnijinnie Yesslith, Navajo potter, often works with Alta on their pottery, Dan signs his work as D. Yesslith.
