This is an intricately painted miniature jar by Dolores Curran.  Before she began making her carved pieces, she was well known for her delicately painted buff-on-red pottery.  This piece is unusual as it is fired black.  It is fully polished and the jar has a square neck.  The neck has a cloud and rain design and the shoulder has a water serpent (avanyu) encircling the piece.  Much like her buff-on-red pieces, they design has to be painted over several times.  Note the precision of the lines!  The jar is signed on the bottom.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.