This is a visually striking long-neck jar by Russell Sanchez.  The jar has a round shoulder and an elongated neck. There is a carved medallion with a bear carved in relief.  The style of carving for the bear is a “cameo” style, which was seen in the carved pottery of Russell’s aunt Rose Gonzales.  There is a coral inset in the center of the bear and around the medallion.  The neck has two rows of coral insets, along with three bands of hematite hei-shi beads.  The remainder of the jar is fully polished.  The lid is polished and has inset pieces of coral. The jar was fired to a glassy, deep black, which creates a striking coloration with the deep red coral.  Why coral? Russell says the red represents the Winter Clan at San Ildefonso, and the turquoise the summer clan.  This piece has a total of 112 pieces of coral on the jar and the lid.  The piece has a striking balance of design, form, and color.  The jar and the lid are both signed on the bottom in the clay, “Russell”.  A wonderful traditional and yet very modern piece!