This is a large carved storage jar by Camilio Tafoya.  Camilio was a brother of Margaret Tafoya and a son of Sarafina Tafoya.  He made some large carved pottery in the 1950s and 60’s after the death of his wife Agapita Tafoya.  His daughter, Grace Medicine Flower, began making pottery in the 1960s and Joseph Lonewolf in the 1970s.  This jar has a classic storage jar shape with a high shoulder and a short neck. The piece is very deeply carved with an avanyu that encircles the entire piece.  Camilio’s avanyu is always distinctive as it has feathers along the back of the head. The piece is highly polished and the jar was fired a deep black coloration.  It is signed on the bottom, “Camilio Tafoya”.  It is in very good condition with no cracks, restoration, or repair.  There is one small chip on one of the pointed carved sections and some light surface scratches that are most likely from the firing.  It is not often we see a piece of Camilio’s carved pottery at this size and amazing design!