WOW!  This is a spectacular large water jar by Dora Tse-Pe.  It is one of the larger-sized pieces she made during her career. The jar has a high shoulder and a short neck.  The piece is carved with an avanyu (water serpent) that encircles the jar.  The style of her carving and avanyu was taught to her by her mother-in-law, Rose Gonzales. The area above the shoulder is fully polished. The avanyu and the area below the carving are all slipped with mica.  Note how evenly she put the mica onto the jar to care a rich tonality of coloration.  The jar was fired a deep black coloration. The neck was two-toned sienna.  The jar has a lid with a square handle and it is sienna on the very top.  There are inset pieces of turquoise for the eye of the avanyu and the top of the lid. It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Dora Tse-Pe of San Ildefonso”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  The jar is from the 1990s and it is not often that we see pieces of this size, coloration, and elegance come back to the gallery!