Posted 2 years ago
bbrunelle
(14 items)
Trying to determine the signature of the artist on the bottom of this small ceramic Native American pot 8 of american pot can anyone help? it appears to be Egruy and the last name starts with "D".
Pot made in 1995
First, I can tell you that this is "in the style of" contemporary Navajo incised pottery, which the Navajo began making in the 1990s, where the decorating is done on mold-made, commercially-available, pots...often in factories specializing in tourist items, but signed by Navajo workers. It is not traditional Navajo pottery.
Second, the Navajo often use the term "Diné" for their people, rather than "Navajo," since "Navajo" is actually a word from Tewa (a puebloan language, unrelated to the Navajo). So often the tribal affiliation is signed as "Diné," or, occasionally as "Dineh," which more accurately approximates how it is pronounced, "Di-nay."
However, "Dinh" (which this appears to be), is not a Navajo name or word...it is Vietnamese. Or it could be a "k," or "l" at the end. Still not a Navajo name or word.
What does this all mean? Probably that it's not necessary to know the name of the potter. It's of decorative value only, who made it isn't going to make any difference.
Thank you so much CanyonRoad for the lesson in modern Navajo pottery - especially in the "mold-made" pots. The pot/vase is a perfect shape and now that I look at it, I surmise you are correct. Appreciate the information and am glad we have collectors weekly as a resource. Best, Belinda