Rare Vintage Native Hopi Indian Painted Gourd Folk Art by Rainbow Hand 1987, AZ For Sale

HOPI by Rainbow Hand, 1987A hand-painted vase or olla, possibly from the Jemez Pueblo or Hopi tradition, by"Rainbow Hand" -- which is the business name for a husband-and-wife miniature art duo, Brian and Kathy Tepper, who create Native American-inspired scale artifacts.
Type: Native American hand-coiled and painted gourd pottery, likely a vase or olla (a type of jar).
Origin: Potentially from the Jemez Pueblo or Hopi tribe, known for their distinct pottery styles and traditional designs.
Features: Often characterized by natural clay materials, hand-painted designs, and traditional firing methods.
Artists: Notable artists like those from the Fragua family (Jemez) or Nampeyo (Hopi) are associated with this type of work.
Availability: Similar pieces can be found on online marketplaces like or Etsy, specializing in Native American art and collectibles.THE PEOPLE:
The Hopi are a Native American people who have lived in the high mesas of northeastern Arizona for centuries, maintaining one of the oldest continuously inhabited cultures in North America. Known for their agricultural skills, deep religious beliefs centered on their sacred land, and their unique dry farming techniques, the Hopi have a rich cultural heritage reflected in their clan system, language, and traditional arts and crafts.
Location and History

• The Hopi primarily reside in northeastern Arizona on the Hopi Reservation, a large area on high, arid land

• Their villages are located atop three mesas: First, Second, and Third Mesa.
• The Hopi are descendants of the ancient Hisatsinom people, who occupied the Colorado Plateau for millennia.
• They migrated to their current homeland in the 12th century and are known for being one of the oldest living cultures in documented history.

Culture and Traditions

• Religion: The Hopi are a deeply religious people who believe in multiple gods and spirits and view themselves as caretakers of the Earth.
• Kachinas: They believe in spirits called kachinas, who represent nature and are honored through ceremonies and the carving of traditional kachina dolls.
• Clans: Hopi society is organized around a matrilineal clan system, where people belong to the clan of their mother and trace their ancestry back to a common ancestor.
• Dry Farming: They have developed specialized agricultural methods called dry farming to cultivate crops like corn, beans, and squash in the arid environment.
• Artistry: The Hopi are internationally known for their artistry, with each mesa village often specializing in a different discipline of art.

Governance and Language

• The Hopi are a sovereign nation with their own government, laws, and services, though they are also U.S. citizens.
• Each village is self-governing and autonomous.
• The Hopi language is a Uto-Aztecan language, and although most Hopi people speak English, many also speak their native language, which is considered endangered.

* SOLD AS IS (please refer to images for clear understanding of condition)

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