Steve Lucas has been one of the most influential traditional Hopi potters of the past several decades. His large, thin-walled vessels along with his detailed painting, precise lines, and neo-traditional designs are hallmarks of his pottery. This bowl is thin-walled and highly polished.  The design is painted with delicate lines on the polished surface.  The rim is polished red. The central band has rain clouds, birds, and rain designs.  There is a complex use of geometric and linear designs on the surface of the piece to create the imagery.  There are small areas that are also stone polished red.  The bowl was traditionally fired to create strong blushes on the surface.  Steve has won numerous awards for his pottery, from Best of Show at Santa Fe Indian Market to the Helen Naha “Traditional” award.  The jar is signed on the bottom, “Steve Lucas” and an ear of corn (Corn Clan) and a Mudhead Katsina.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  

“When I first learned to make pottery, the red slip painted in the designs was difficult to work with. It wouldn’t take heat very well and would scorch and turn black. The red was also difficult to polish. My aunt Dextra had a deep red clay slip, so I experimented with it. I took some of our base clay and added the red to it, and it polished very well. I then decided to put some mica in there to get that sparkle. That’s where the new red came from, and Dextra liked how it turned out. I introduced them to that. It was nice that for my teacher, Dextra, I was able to share and teach her something.”  Steve Lucas, Spoken Through Clay