Bobby Silas is a creative potter reviving ancient designs for his contemporary pottery. He had originally learned to make pottery in 2004-5 when he attended Zuni High School.  While he is Hopi-Tewa, he is again living in Zuni and has made a series of pieces inspired by classic Zuni shapes and designs.  This jar has a classic form with a high shoulder, short neck, and slightly turned out rim.  The neck of the jar has for rainbirds swirling across the surface.  Note how the bird heads and bodies are made up of rain designs.  The body of the jar has large rainbirds flowing into rain designs. The rain (the thin line patterns) are striking on this jar.  The designs are accented with a red clay slip.  The jar has a striking balance of both historic Zuni form and design with Bobby’s own stylistic deer and detailed painting.  It’s great to see him reviving these designs with such strength, delving into the past for inspiration.  The jar is signed on the bottom, “Silas”.