Russell Sanchez continues to be one of the true innovators in Pueblo pottery.  Each piece is perfectly coil built, stone polished and etched.  This bowl is a classic shape and the body is fully polished black.  The design is a corn pattern (note the dot in the center) etched as a checkerboard pattern.  Surrounding the corn is a sun design.  This “flower” like pattern is one that was originated by Tonita Roybal and found on her work from the early 1920’s.  Separating each of the sections is a matte red cloud pattern.  The designs fits perfectly to the shape of the bowl and elegant flow of design.  The neck of the bowl is fully polished a very deep red.  The lid is inspired by the dome lids of early San Ildefonso pottery.  The combination of the black, red, buff and matte red make this a true-polychrome vessel.  There is additional black hei-shi beads inset into the jar.  Russell has brought back the deep red clay slip which was used at San Ildefonso in the 1920’s and 30’s.  It is an extraordinary coloration!  For the polished black mica, Russell said that he was inspired by the use of the micaceous clay on utilitarian vessels and how he could use it to better match his highly polished surfaces.  The result is a black stone polished micaceous surface which has a high shine and a color that somehow ranges from gray to black to almost a blue, depending on the light!  It is quite exceptional!  The bowl is signed on the bottom in the clay.

Click here to read: Russell Sanchez: Contemporizing the Pueblo Pottery Past