Russell Sanchez continues to be one of the true innovators in Pueblo pottery.  Each piece is perfectly coil built, stone polished and etched.  This bear is one of his classic shapes.  This bear is a variation to his form and the angular edge of the legs in inspired by the bears of Tony Da.  It is complemented with the angles carved into the clay on the top of the piece.  The bear is highly polished to a very deep red coloration from the slip.  Russell has brought back the deep red clay slip which was used at San Ildefonso in the 1920’s and 30’s.  It is an extraordinary coloration!  This bear is fully polished and there are etched heartlines on the legs. The “heartline” refers to the heart or center of the bear as a the source of their strength.  On the back is a single inset piece of fossilized Lone Mountain turquoise!  It is an exceptional stone to cap the simplicity of the bear.  The bears are symbolic of good luck and in many of the pueblos are carved from stone.  The bear is hollow as the piece is coil built.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay.  Stunning!

Click here to read: Russell Sanchez: Contemporizing the Pueblo Pottery Past

Russell Sanchez: Contemporizing the Pueblo Pottery Past