This is an exceptional early jar by Thomas Polacca.  He was a son of noted potter Fannie Nampeyo and a grandson of Nampeyo of Hano.  He is considered among the first men to begin making pottery at Hopi in the 1970s.  Interestingly, when the men initially did use traditional Sikyatki designs it was suggested by women potters that they take other directions in their pottery.  This is one of the early pieces that were both made with native clay but also painted with bee-weed (black) and a polished red clay slip. The jar is simply spectacular in shape, design, and size. The jar has a wide shoulder and an elongated neck with an asymmetric rim.  Around the shoulder, the jar is polished red and then painted with SEVEN Shalako katsinas faces.  The jar was traditionally fired to create slight blushes on the surface.  It is signed, “Nampeyo Thomas Polacca”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.