Featured Damaged Hopi pot

Hi again. The truth is, I've joked to myself before about finding a Nampeyo or Maria pot, believing it would never happen, but today it actually did happen.

According to Allan Hayes and John Blom in "Southwestern Pottery," after Nampeyo started losing her eyesight is the 1910's, her daughters helped paint the pots while she continued to make them herself. In these cases, they were signed "Nampeyo, ______ (daughter's name)" as this one is. So I think this was made by Nampeyo and painted by Fannie. When I saw this small piece (4" tall), I got really excited.

As you can see, though, it has a chip on the rim. My question is, how much does this kind of damage affect worth?

All feedback appreciated!

 

I'd say it would cut the value by 50%.....
still nice for a collection starter..

 

50% of what?

 

...50% of potential resale value.

 

But what is it? LOL

 

To be determined. Not sure if I even would want to resell, since as I said I probably would not otherwise be able to afford a piece by these famous potters. For now, it's an academic question.

I'm trying to get a better understanding of exactly what I found.

 

@Taupou?

 

Yes, I think you've found a piece made by Nampeyo, decorated by her daughter, Fannie. At least that's the way they are usually signed.

Although it's not necessarily typical of Nampeyo's pottery, it is documented that she made some smaller pieces like this in the early l930's, when she had to meet the demand for inexpensive tourist items.

It would probably be called either a cup or a version of a "tulip vase," influenced by European art pottery forms. Luckily, it doesn't appear that anyone ever used it to actually hold water, since that would ruin the finish on traditional Hopi burnished pottery.

I'd agree, the resale value is probably decreased by 50% or so because of the damage, but I would keep it, also, rather than selling it. If the chip bothers you, a specialist can restore it, and as long as you are keeping it for yourself, and document the restoration in case it is eventually sold, I don't see a problem with that.

If one wants to know the probable value "as is," just research recent sales of a Nampeyo vase, signed and decorated by Fannie, and reduce it by half. I think I remember one selling fairly recently on that website many of us used to be associated with, but there should be examples of similar pieces on the internet.

It's still a bargain (if authentic, which only someone who specializes in Nampeyo pottery can determine), but it looks right to me, and most likely would have been one of those things you would always regret, if you had passed it up!

 

Thank you very much for the consideration and insight. I would certainly have regretted it had I missed this one. I'm guessing that most other shoppers had looked right over it, since it was damaged. But bargain-hunter me asked, 'Can I see that one too?' Sure glad I did.

Thanks again!

 

Adding that if the maker is well-known, as here, damage won't destroy value, but of course does reduce it. A piece like this would have a wide market, among bargain-hunters and those who might not be able to afford an undamaged piece. And it would display very nicely with the chip turned to the back. I'd have snapped it up myself.
I do more wood than pottery, but have some damaged pieces where the damage just doesn't make much difference....the maker is so highly thought of that the damage almost fades into insignificance.

 

Thanks for the input. I agree entirely. And in this case, the rim chip has to be partly how I acquired the piece in the first place, so I mind it even less.