Hopi pottery, historically, has morphed as most art forms do.  With differences in 'period' it is fairly easy to identify Hopi pottery by period.  Similar to most Native American tribes, pottery has evolved from a purely functional piece of pottery to a highly formed and stylized piece of art.

Surrounded by the Navajo Nation in Arizona, the Hopi reservation is home to two clans, Hopi and Tewa.  Though it is actually a conglomerate of tribes from the Southwest, it has become one tribe of various clans brought together, mainly due to the conquistadores and U.S. government.

The pottery today is the culmination of various clans all contributing designs and/or methods from their ancestors.  Traditional Hopi pottery is generally divided into three phases:

Phase I through III 800 - 1300 A.D. 
This was a purely functional phase that was brought about by a shift from a migratory people to a cultivation society.  As they cultivated the three sisters (corn, squash, and beans), they migrated less.  Whereas before they used baskets woven of vegetal matter for its light weight and durability, the permanence afforded the Hopi ancestors the luxury of heavier and more durable containers made of pottery.  Anasazi pottery is characterized by rough vessels with rudimentary designs (perhaps to indicate family/use?).  Though there was monochrome (black on white, yellow, or orange slip) decoration occurring, it was not until the 1400's that polychrome became prevalent.

1400-1600 A.D.
The Sikyatki period, with its polychrome decoration on white slip, was the height of the art.  Interrupted by the Pueblo revolts and inquisitions of the 1600's, it would be two hundred years before the beautiful designs and colors of this period would be seen again.

The Revival 1870 - Now
In the late 1800's, when there was a great interest in studying 'indigenous' ways, Alexander Stephen recorded some of the earliest information about Hopi pottery.  However is was Jesse Walter Fewkes that unearthed beautiful Sikyatki polychrome pots and shards that started the 'revival.'  It is said that the beautiful 'ancient' pottery inspired Nampeyo to bring back the style that is so popular today.

The functional aspect of the vessel evolved to become of commercial interest.  The exchange and barter system that trading posts (Keams Trading Post amongst the first) brought to the region created a market for indigenous art.  Sold mainly to tourists who found an interest in the "Wild West" and "indian" ways created a means of economic sustenance and trade token for necessities like blankets, food, and even decorations like parrot feathers.  Nampeyo and other Hopi artists of that period would look to inspiration in pottery shards and pots and create magnificent vessels painted by hand.   Of course, these tourist pieces are worth thousands today. 

First Mesa is still considered the epicenter of Hopi pottery.

Read more about the descendants of Nampeyo by clicking on the Hopi pottery artists tab.