This is a very intricately designed large seedpot by Joseph Lonewolf.  The piece is nearly flat on top and fully designed.  The piece has a realistic flute player as the center design.  In 1980, he had made a similar design as a bronze.  Joseph wrote of the flute player in this work:

“The flute player lifts his flute and calls the creatures.  Encircled by the musical story coming from his flute, the flute player, symbolic of leadership, tells the animals to come forth.  The well-developed muscles of the flute player – symbolic of leadership – portrays an image of a strong leader.  A long-time symbol of Pueblo Indians, the flute player is very special because he blesses all creates in life.  Birds, fish reptiles, insects, even people.  Lonewolf, who admires all creates of life and respects the clay from Mother Earth – a ‘living thing’ that provides food, plants, and animals – positioned the flute player standing on top of the world, the earth and its inhabitants, collectively, bestowing a musical blessing upon all living things.”

Behind the flute player is the feathered avanyu.  Note the “base” on which the flute player is standing! it is an very intricately etched flower.  In a band around the Flute Player, there are flowers and medallions with a bee, dragonfly, butterfly, and a feather.  The rim of the seedpot has the walking bear paw design.  Turning it over, there are two realistic raccoons along with the 1983 yearly symbol of the Propellor of Life.  It is an amazing piece in terms of the flow and complexity of imagery and subtle nuances in the depth of the sgraffito. The piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Joseph Lonewolf”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

Deciphered: The Yearly Symbols of Joseph Lonewolf