This is a traditional carved jar by Daniel Begay. The piece has a water jar shape with a deeply carved avanyu as the design.  The avanyu encircles the jar and it is highly polsihed.  There are contrasting areas of matte designs.  The jar was traditionally fired black with a silvery appearance to the surface.  The carving is very deep with clean channels separating the designs. The matte is smooth and perfectly sanded to create the best visual contrast.  This certainly adds to the sophistication of his carving and designs. Note how Daniel’s designs also combine both thin and thicker lines to enhance the imagery.  The style of carving has a beveled appearance to the angle of the cuts into the clay.  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Daniel Begay”.