This is a complex jar by Juan de la Cruz.  He is known for his painted polychrome pottery.  Juan is a son of noted potter Lois Gutierrez.  Lois made the jar and Juan, who is noted for his illustrations, painted the design using natural clay slips. The jar is a classic round shape. It has the Santa Clara Basket Dance as the design.  There are the Basket Dancers along with a Kossa (Koshari).  The large medallion has a stylized basket and bird design. He wrote of the piece:

“This piece depicts the beginning of the Basekt Dance when all of the dancers form a procession intot he plaza while singing.  The dancers form pairs with the Kossa following closely behind.”

The jar was traditionally fired and it is a true polychrome (more than three colors of clay).  It is signed on the bottom.  It is accompanied by a watercolor painting with the description on the back.  While Juan is new to the pottery world, he recently won “Best of Pottery” at Gallup Ceremonials in 2017 and again in 2019.  He has been featured in articles in Cowboys & Indians Magazine and Native Art Magazine in 2018 and most recently was the subject of an article in Native Art Magazine (Fall/Winter 2019).