Ceramics Books and Magazines

The author has gathered what might be only a smattering of the Hopi-Tewa potters who have produced quality Hopi Pottery over the decades. There are doubtless many more equally deserving of similar literary attention. But this book is an especially strong start and lays a sound foundation for future volumes.

Some artist biographies offered in its pages are fairly sketchy; otherwise, the author has done his homework. For example, if you own an Evelyn Tootsie specimen, you might be disappointed to discover her name and nothing more. On the other hand, if you own a similar quality piece made by Garnet Pavatea, you'll be delighted to unearth a page and a half of valuable bio, museum, photo and auction info. Schaaf can assemble tons of information and seems to go to extremes to find bio data on his included artisans. It is curious there is no mention of the Indian traders in the area, even those serving the local Hopi populace (and who are doubtless rich sources of such bio data). Interestingly, the book is heavily laced with photos of specimen from Schaaf's own collection.

The author's promise to revise and expand this book with additional artisans also includes a welcome tool for added information from the adoring public of Hopi potters. This volume includes a handy "artist survey" to encourage the inclusion of more Hopi potters in future editions. Hopefully, more Hopi-Tewa pottery artists, their families and collectors will seize the opportunity contribute and, thereby, expand the known world of Hopi pottery.

Quality features of this First Edition production could use an upgrade in any subsequent reprinting. The book utilizes a flashy dust cover with thick, glossy face; then the book falls back on traditional cost saving features; a measly 4 pages of color photos followed by whopping 180 pages of black and white. The paper stock is thick, coarse and unwieldy. The book does not deliver the workshop feel of a research-type book (or even measure up to a typical auction catalog), although the linen hardback cover is heavy and strong. The binding imparts a fragile feel, making me wonder how much archival quality the book will maintain over the years. Under heavy use I fear the result would be loose and failing page structure. If you buy this edition, don't plan on using it much. My copy already delivers a disturbing crackling noise from the binding, not good.

Overall, I would not say this book is a great instrument to support and motivate collections of Hopi Indian pottery. I don't feature it as a scholarly approach to Hopi pottery; however a biographical volume such as this spawns interest and promotes added value to Hopi pottery in general. Its place in the pantheon of Indian books is sound.

Except for the soaring secondary market on this edition, I'd say every Hopi pottery researcher and collector should have one. Finally, if you don't have a few hundred dollars to squander on the lofty collector price of the First Edition, you might be better off waiting for the author to make good on his promise to expand and republish.


Get this if you are into buying Hopi pottery   June 15, 2000
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

If you are ready to make an investment in Native American pottery from the Hopi, this book is a "must have". Every gallery I've been at pulls this book out when I ask them something about who made a particular piece of pottery. The author provides information on every known Hopi potter. It includes complete family histories, who they learned from, and how much some of their art has sold for. Also included is an appendix on common signatures and hallmarks. If you're a new-comer to Native American pottery, this is not a good starting point -- try "Southwest Pottery: Anaszai to Zuni" by Hayes & Blom. Also, if you are looking for thousands of pretty color pictures, this is not the best book (even though there are some nice photos). But if you're going to spend money on pottery, check it out.