Chilly-Yazzie, Nancy Ann – Tall Jar with Mother Earth/Father Sky, Sun, and Yei Figures

This is a striking incised bowl by Nancy Ann Chilly-Yazzie. Nancy is one of the few Navajo pottery working today in a traditional style.  Her pieces are coil-built, incised, and traditionally fired.  Nancy is from the Four Corners Area on the Navajo Reservation.  This jar has two Mother Earth/Father Sky figures and two Yei figures.  They are each separated by intricately designed sun designs.  The way she painted and incised the sun medallions, they are reminiscent of a piece of inlay jewelry!  The jar was traditionally fired, then painted, then covered in pinon pitch in the traditional manner. It is signed, “NAY” on the bottom.