Begaye, Nathan – Mini Polychrome Cannister (1990)

This is a small but intricate canteen by Nathan Begaye.  He was a unique innovator among Pueblo and Navajo potters.  His ethnic connection to both Hopi and Navajo let his clay art flow between the two distinctive styles and yet find its own unique space.  His work used traditional designs, forms, and techniques, yet somehow appeared very modern.  This canteen is a classic Hopi-Tewa shape with a round front.  It is made from red Hopi clay.  The canteen is fully polished.  The front is painted with a Sikyatki bird and there is a checkerboard design.  All the various colors are from natural clay slips.  Nathan would paint the clay slips the piece and then stone polish each section. It was time-consuming but the results were amazing.  The canteen has a stopper that he made, and the cord for hanging the canteen was also made by Nathan.  The piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Nathan Begaye”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  While small, it is quite exceptional in detail!