This is a stunning water jar by Russell Sanchez.  He continues to be one of the true innovators in Pueblo pottery.  Each piece is perfectly coil-built, stone polished, and etched. The shape is a classic San Ildefonso form with a narrow base and wide shoulder.  Note how after the shoulder there is almost a flatness to the jar before the neck. This is technically difficult to achieve.  The jar is etched with a water serpent (avanyu) before it is fired.  The neck of the jar has melon ribs on the INSIDE, which is a “waterfall neck”.  The bottom of the jar has gourd design indentions.  The raised and indented surfaces are not only technically difficult additions but add additional dimensions for the light to reflect off the surface of the piece.  The firing created a near-gunmetal or metallic appearance on the surface of the jar. There are also bands of micaceous clay along with hei-shi beads.   It is signed on the bottom, “Russell”.