This is a striking double shoulder water jar by Jason Ebelacker.  The shape is distinctive with the wide shoulder, sloping neck and slightly turned out rim.  The movement of the shape creates numerous angles for the reflection of the light.  The wide shoulder of the jar has a second, raised shoulder or “rainbow band”.  This is technically difficult to achieve and you can even feel on the inside how the coils are pushed out to achieve the shape! The jar is very highly polished and there are two impressed bear paws as the design on either side. The paws represent the story of the bear who saved the village from a flood and they are represented on vessels which hold water.  The jar is stone polished to a high shine and then traditionally fired. The firing is always an unknown how a piece will turn out but this jar has the classic deep black coloration.  Jason is a son of noted potter Richard Ebelacker, a grandson of Virginia Ebelacker and great-grandson of Margaret Tafoya.  He has won numerous awards for his pottery and continues to be one of the younger potters to watch.  It’s great to see the continuing evolution of his work in clay.