This canteen is a classic vessel by San Ildefonso potter Rose Gonzales.  She is often considered the first at San Ildefonso Pueblo to make carved pottery. However, over the course of her career, she created a variety of styles including plainware, painted, and carved pottery.  This canteen is her classic shape for this form with the flat back and the “pointed” front.  It is fully polished and fired a deep black coloration.  It still has the original leather strap and wood stopper!  The piece is signed on the back in the clay, “Rose”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair but with a few very light surface scratches.