Sanchez, Russell – Long Neck Jar with Bear, Lid and 112 Coral Insets
$ 8,800.00
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!
