Max Early is one of the few traditional potters working today at Laguna Pueblo.  His work combines historic forms with a blend of contemporary and traditional designs.  This is an important jar in the history of his creative pottery. The jar is his “tribute” jar.  It is coil-built and painted with five different colors.  The jar is a tribute to the four women who taught him and influenced him in becoming a potter.  The women are Glady Paquin (Laguna), Clara Encino (Laguna), Juanita Aquero (Cochiti) and Mary Martin (Cochiti).  The women are represented by the four birds on the jar.  It is a striking use of traditional designs and dramatic clay coloration.  All the colors are created from natural clay slips and the black is bee-weed (a plant).   The jar is also traditionally fired, which adds to the overall difficulty of the piece.  It is signed on the bottom, “Max Early”.  It is certainly exciting to see a potter who is inspired by traditional shapes and designs and yet has the artistry to create his own distinctive variation!