This large jar by Al Qoyawayma is an amazing piece with sophisticated clay work and beautiful detail in the carved designs.  The jar has an elegant shape with a narrow base and a wide shoulder with a slightly turned out neck.  Al looks back to the past for inspiration in his designs on his polychrome pottery.  He is also thinking about the future and historic “what if”, in the sense that how would Hopi pottery have evolved if no Western contact.  His polychrome pieces are often a response to this thoughtful query.  Al titled this piece “Ancient Ways” and the story is that represents a series of paths.  The lines swirl around the jar and are the paths in life.  There are two rainbows depicted along with two corn maiden figures.  The corn maiden figures can be seen with the textured corn design with matte brown hair.  There is also an eagle with a green clay slip.  The lines of the path are deeply carved into the clay in various levels.  There are several colors on the top of this piece that are very difficult to achieve in a polished form (such as the tan and yellow colors!). This piece is a striking balance of form, sculpture, color and design!  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Al Qoyawayma”.