This is a traditional canteen by Virgil Ortiz.  The piece is coil built and painted with native clay slips and wild spinach (a plant) for the black.   The design on the piece has clouds around the mouth and the handles.  On the front is a classic Cochiti cloud and lightning design.  The design is tightly painted with clouds at the top, lighthning in the center, and rain a the bottom.  There is a leather strap that Virgil made for the canteen.  Can you see the “spirit line” in the design? It is at the rim of the canteen.  The spirit line is a break in the painting and is used on traditional Cochiti pottery.  Virgil has also incorporated his signature “x”, which is the turkey track into the designs.   The piece is signed on the back, “Virgil Ortiz”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.   The use of traditional and contemporary imagery has become a standard for Virgil’s pottery as he pushes the boundaries of contemporary Native clay.  The piece comes in a custom made metal museum mount.