It is not often that Virgil creates such a traditional style of jar. This piece is coil built, polished and painted with wild spinach for the black.  Virgil said that he was inspired by some historic Cochiti  pottery recently to create this piece which has such classic imagery.  The tall shape works perfectly for the designs.  In addition to the focus on traditional imagery, there is also the complexity and intensity of design across the entire surface of the piece!  The plant and cloud designs around the body of the jar are delicately painted.  Above these are cloud patterns and plant designs.  The circular band is a sun pattern, which Virgil says represents his addition to the iconography of Cochiti pottery. The neck is also fully designed with a plant pattern. There is a space on the rim of the neck where it is unpainted, which is the “heartline”, which Virgil always paints on his clay vessels.  The jar is signed on the bottom.