Russell Sanchez continues to be one of the true innovators in Pueblo pottery.  Each piece is perfectly coil built, stone polished and etched.  This is one of Russell’s few mountain lion clay figure.  Mountain lions always have their tail up on the back.  This figure is balanced to have one of its legs raised. The piece is polished red in back and brownish-red in front.  The two sections are separated by four rows of hei-shi beads.  The mountain lion is etched with a heartline and track.  The back has a large Kingman Turuoqise stone.  There are additional pieces of turquoise for the eyes.  Note as well the angular style of the legs, which gives the figure a very modern appearance!  The Mountain Lion is signed on the bottom.