Sanchez, Russell – Long Neck Jar with Bear Paws & Bear Lid

2.5"w x 4"h

$ 2,700.00

The shape of this long neck jar by Russell Sanchez come from the pieces made by his great-aunt, Rose Gonzales. The jar has a wide shoulder and a long neck.  The neck has been two-toned tan and green.  Separating the two clay colors are two bands of multi-colored hei-shi beads.  The body of the jar is fully polished and impressed with four bear paws.  This is one of the few times we have seen bear paws on his pottery!  Russell said that he hasn’t done bear paws on pieces since the 1980’s.  The lid is also a bear, which completes the concept of the entire piece!  The hei-shi beads are made by the Calabaza family of Santo Domingo Pueblo.  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay.   It’s fascinating how Russell uses these historic elements to keep them alive on his contemporary pottery.