Adakai (Manuel & Yanua Morgan) Navajo Black Carved Pottery Vase, 13.5”

Signed Adakai (Manuel & Yanua Morgan, Navajo) black-carved pottery vase. Handcrafted in the Four Corners region, this elegant tall-form vessel features a flared rim and deeply carved geometric motifs around the shoulder, contrasted by a lustrous polished finish. The Morgans, working under the studio name Adakai, are renowned for their refinement of the traditional Navajo blackware technique—melding ancient hand-coiled methods with influences from neighboring Pueblo black-on-black pottery traditions.

Their work exemplifies the evolution of contemporary Navajo ceramics, balancing cultural heritage with modern design sensibility. Each Adakai piece is individually crafted and signed, making it both a collectible artwork and a striking decorative statement. Signed on the underside, Adakai Navajo.

Condition:

Excellent condition overall, showing only light shelf wear on the underside. No chips, cracks, or repairs. The polished finish is bright and even, and carved details remain crisp and well-defined.

Dimensions:

Height: 13.5 in.
Diameter: 5.5 in.
Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo

Artist Background:

Manuel and Yanua (Janna) Morgan are Navajo potters working under the studio name Adakai, based in southeastern Utah. Their pieces are highly regarded among collectors for their skillful adaptation of traditional Navajo pottery forms into polished blackware vessels featuring carved geometric designs. Though not widely documented in museum catalogs, the Adakai studio’s work is recognized throughout the Native American art market for its craftsmanship, cultural authenticity, and distinctive aesthetic refinement.