Crow Pot

Christine McHorse, Crow Pot, 1991, kiln-fired and pit-fired micaceous clay with pinon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock, 1997.124.159
Christine McHorse, Crow Pot, 1991, kiln-fired and pit-fired micaceous clay with pinon pitch, 16 1⁄4 x 12 5⁄8 in. (41.3 x 32.1 cm) diam, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock, 1997.124.159

Artwork Details

Title
Crow Pot
Artist
Date
1991
Location
Dimensions
16 1⁄4 x 12 5⁄8 in. (41.3 x 32.1 cm) diam
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock
Mediums
Mediums Description
kiln-fired and pit-fired micaceous clay with pinon pitch
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — bird — crow
  • Landscape — plant — corn
Object Number
1997.124.159
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.124.159

Artwork Description

Navajo potter Christine McHorse uses sparkling mica clay from the mountains around Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico. She breaks several Navajo traditions in her work by applying imagery to the clay and firing it in an electric kiln, but believes "I can make my own taboos and traditions" (Rosenak, Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia, 1990). Animals are important in Native American culture, and in these pieces McHorse has incorporated the crow, symbol of the gateway to the supernatural, and the wolf, which Navajos regard as a teacher of wisdom.

Works by this artist (7 items)

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West Quoddy Light
Artist
Date1933
wood engraving on paper
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Stevan Dohanos, Panel 2, Legend of James Edward Hamilton--Barefoot Mailman (mural study, West Palm Beach, Florida Post Office), 1940, watercolor on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1982.20.1
Panel 2, Legend of James Edward Hamilton – Barefoot Mailman …
Artist
Date1940
watercolor on paperboard
Not on view
Stevan Dohanos, Panel 6, Legend of James Edward Hamilton--Barefoot Mailman (mural study, West Palm Beach, Florida Post Office), 1940, watercolor on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1982.20.3
Panel 6, Legend of James Edward Hamilton – Barefoot Mailman …
Artist
Date1940
watercolor on paperboard
Not on view
Stevan Dohanos, Panel 5, Legend of James Edward Hamilton--Barefoot Mailman (mural study, West Palm Beach, Florida Post Office), 1940, watercolor on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1982.20.2
Panel 5, Legend of James Edward Hamilton – Barefoot Mailman …
Artist
Date1940
watercolor on paperboard
Not on view

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Jose Rey Toledo, A Stick Race, ca. 1935-1940, watercolor, ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1985.65.37
A Stick Race
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1940
watercolor, ink, and pencil on paper
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Buffalo Deer Dance
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ink, watercolor, and pencil on paperboard
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