Russell Sanchez continues to revive historic shapes with is intricate designs and complex slips. This unique box is reminiscent of the boxes from the 1920’s made at San Ildefonso Pueblo.  Boxes are always difficult to make and often crack during drying or the firing stage because of the pull against the flat walls.  On the fours sides of the box, there are two bear medallions and two with traditional San Ildefonso designs. Note the bird wing pattern in the center and the very delicate prayer feathers on either side!  The stones in the center on each side are Kingman turquoise.  The box is slipped with a red clay and the medallions are a green clay. The lid is equally complicated with a green base and a red bear.  The bear is incised with a heartline.  Around the medallions and on the box the designs are surrounded by hei-shi beads.  The beads are made by the Calabasas from Santo Domingo Pueblo.  This is the first time he has used a multi-color strand from them, which adds to the overall visual strength of the piece.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, ‘Russell Sanchez”.