Polacca Plate c. 1890

This Polacca Plate was crafted by the Hopi-Tewa potter Nampeyo, using clay and paint to create a striking visual narrative. At the heart of the plate, we see a figure that resonates with the Kachina spirits, ancestral beings who mediate between humans and the divine. The geometric motifs and the stylized representation of the figure, connect us to symbols found in ancient cultures across the globe. The mask, the feathers, the geometric patterns--all speak to the powerful forces of nature and the cosmos. Consider the 'stepped' geometric shapes adorning the figure. These echo similar forms in ancient Egyptian art, representing mountains or pyramids, a testament to human ambition and spiritual aspiration. It’s fascinating to trace how these motifs evolve, carrying different yet related meanings across cultures and epochs. Perhaps this is an expression of humanity's collective unconscious, a primal yearning for connection with the sacred. Ultimately, the Polacca Plate, serves as a canvas where ancient symbols resurface, reinvented by Nampeyo, allowing new generations to re-establish an eternal connection with the spiritual world.