This large double shoulder water jar by Jason Ebelacker is an extraordinary vessel.  The shape brings to mind the vessels of Jason’s great-grandmother Margaret Tafoya.  Yet there is something unique in his placement of the second shoulder or the “rainbow band”. The shoulder is higher, which further accentuates the neck and the slight lip. The two shoulders create a further undulation of the form and create numerous angles for the light to hit and seem to add to the overall shine.  The two bear paws are carved into the neck of the jar.  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 just bit of a gunmetal cast from the heat of the firing!  It just adds to the depth of the jar.  Jason is a son of noted potter Richard Ebelacker and grandson of Virginia Ebelacker.  He has won numerous awards for his pottery and continues to be one of the important younger potters to watch.  Pottery at this level of creativity and quality are certainly a reflection of both his talent and the future!