Alvin Curran was possibly the most refined and sophisticated San Juan style potter of his generation. He was married to Dolores Curran and his daughter is Ursula Curran, both of whom continue to make pottery.  Alvin took the traditional style of incised San Juan polychrome pottery and refined his carving and painted designs.  This is one of the few clay bears he made.  It is hollow and highly polished a deep red.  There is an incised heartline on each side.  The “heartline” is symbolic of the breath as the life force of the animal.  This bear was traditionally fired red.  It is signed on the bottom, “Alvin Curran”.   It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.