Russell Sanchez is one of the few Pueblo potters who makes traditional style boxes.  Each piece is flat on the bottom (not started in the traditional puki). The sides are flat the box is square or rectangular in shape.  This box was fired to a gunmetal finish, which is somewhat metallic in coloration.  The lid has etched bear paws on the handle for the lid, along with a cloud design.  Two of the sides have etched deer in mica slipped medallions.  The opposite sides have rain cloud designs using very traditional San Ildefonso imagery.  Russell has used black hei-shi beads to surround the two medallions. On the lid and sides of the box he has inset hemitite.  It is the perfect material to use on a gunmetal box as it reflects much the same coloration as the gunmetal fired surface.  The style of this box is similar to the earlier ones made at San Ildefonso in the 1920’s.  Russell continues to derive inspiration from the Pueblo potters of the past, yet stylize it to make it his own.   The box and lid are both signed on the bottom.

Russell Sanchez: Contemporizing the Pueblo Pottery Past