This is a deeply carved tri-color plate by Nathan Youngblood.  The plate is round in shape and fully carved.  It is entitled, “Pueblo Sunrise”. The rim of the plate is polished tan.  The central design is a circular sun pattern. There are two tan polished bands that merge into one, representing the rivers around the pueblos merging into the Rio Grande.  Along the “banks” of the tan polished rivers are clouds, pueblo, and mesa designs.  The plate is “tri-color”, meaning red, tan, and matte. Did you know that the tan coloration in Santa Clara pottery is one of the most difficult to achieve?  The tan coloration is achieved by adding water to the surface of the dry vessel and then beginning to stone polish.  The film created on the surface becomes the “slip” and the tan is actually the natural color of the clay.  It is VERY difficult to get a high shine to the tan.  As well, during a traditional firing, it is also the riskiest as smoke and ash can easily discolor the surface.  The hoped-for result is an even caramel coloration on the surface of the piece.  Nathan is one of only a handful of potters who uses this technique and his are always exceptional.  This plate has a deep tan coloration combined with a dark red.  They work together visuall, with a high, glossy polish.  On Nathan’s tri-color pieces, after they are fired, he uses screwdrivers to scrape the background area and the side of the carving.  This can take almost as much time as the carving or polishing itself!  Amazing the amount of time that goes into each vessel and yet how stunning they appear!  It is signed on the bottom in the clay with his name and hallmarked name in Tewa, which means “Deer Path”.