Frederica Antonio is renown for her intricately painted pottery. Each piece is coil built and then finely painted. Her designs are a series of fine vertical and horizontal lines which are then filled in to create larger images in the squares.  This is a classic water jar shape with the high shoulder and a slightly turned out rim. The neck of the jar is painted with a checkerboard pattern which is at an angle. The jar itself has a very complicated four seasons design which swirls around the jar.  The sections are summer (squares for corn), winter (stars), Spring (lightning), Fall (leaves).  Each of the sections is separated by a series of larger squares.  The coloration includes two additional colors of clay.  The entire jar is first painted black on white.  Frederica noted that she paints the red first, then the brown color and then had to go back over all the black lines again one more time!  The level of complexity and time involved on the painting of this piece is extraordinary!  The result, however, is stunning with a dynamic appearance and movement to the designs.  The base of the jar is concave, reminiscent of historic Acoma jars which were carried on the head.  This combination of thin walls, classic shape and tightly painted design create a piece which is visually  stunning!  The jar is signed on the bottom.