Sanchez, Russell – Deep Red Jar with Handles & Avanyu

6"w x 7"h

$ 8,200.00

This is a beautiful jar by Russell Sanchez.  The jar is a deep red coloration, which is a slip which he has rediscovered and it is the same deep coloration as the slip used at San Ildefonso in the 1920-30’s.  This red is used around the rim and the center of the jar.  The neck on both sides is carved with sharp melon ribs, meant to represent a water fall. The area below is red with black hatchwork designs which are symbolic of the black-on-red pottery of San Ildefonso from the early 1900’s.  The area around the handles is matte with the top part polished!  It is amazing how he is able to carve and polish these areas.  The central section has an avanyu etched into the surface of the clay. The bottom has a repeat of the water fall!  There are three bands of hei-shi beads on the jar.  One above the avanyu is turquoise, the two below are jet and turquoise.  Note as well the oval shape of the mouth on the jar!  The bottom of the jar has the classic indention of traditional San Ildefonso water jars.  It’s exciting how Russell uses these historic elements to keep them alive on his contemporary pottery.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, ‘Russell”.