This jar by Steve Lucas is an elegant shape with a wide shoulder and a short neck.  The jar is thin-walled and stone polished before it is fired.  The top of the jar is painted with a series of interlocking bird designs.  Each bird consists of Hopi geometric designs painted with bee-weed. The black on buff coloration gives the piece a modernist appearance.

The stylized birds are based on a traditional design. I would look at the design and think I could add or take away something to make it look better.  When painting, I try and change up the designs from the old-style designs. My intent here was to take Nampeyo’s classic ideal of the eagle tail and then keep some things and eliminate others in the design.  Steve Lucas, Spoken Through Clay

The jar was traditionally fired with amazing fire clouds on the surface.  It is signed on the bottom with his name and an ear of corn (Corn Clan) and a Mudhead Katsina. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.