"Bertha Kinale" Hopi Pottery Dish – Walpi Village

Updated August 25, 2026

Artist: Bertha Kinale Hopi – Walpi Village, First Mesa, Arizona Measures: Approx. 5" diameter Period: Vintage, likely 1970s–early 1980s Vintage Hopi hand-built pottery dish by Bertha Kinale, a documented Hopi potter from Walpi Village on First Mesa. The underside is hand-inscribed “B. Kinale / Walpi Village,” providing particularly nice artist and village attribution. Bertha Kinale, born in 1935, is associated with the Coyote Clan and is documented as a traditional potter from Walpi. Museum of Northern Arizona archival records specifically document pottery by Bertha Kinale of Walpi in the 1970 Hopi Craftsman Show, providing strong historical documentation for her work during this period. This shallow dish features an elaborate freehand composition in black and reddish-brown pigments over a warm buff/orange ground. The interior decoration incorporates sweeping curvilinear elements, fine parallel lines, stepped geometric forms and spiral motifs arranged asymmetrically across the bowl. Traditional Hopi pottery of this type was hand formed from local clay and decorated with mineral and vegetal pigments before outdoor firing. The underside retains the clearly legible “B. Kinale / Walpi Village” inscription along with an additional handwritten inventory or collection number. The exterior shows natural firing coloration and surface variation associated with traditionally fired pottery. This attribution is especially solid: a smaller 3¾" Bertha Kinale Walpi Village saucer, described as circa 1970s and with a partially faded signature, is currently offered at $329.99 retail, while another vintage Kinale bowl measuring 5.75" x 3.25" is offered by Native Skies Gallery for $330. Condition shows age-related surface wear, scratches, rubbing and minor imperfections. There appears to be some wear along the rim, but I do not see an obvious major break or restoration in the provided photographs. Please review all photos for exact condition.

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