This jar by Mark Tahbo has a classic shape with the high shoulder and the slight neck.  The jar is coil built, stone polished and then painted with bee-weed (a plant) and there is an additional red clay slip used.  The coloration is from the traditional firing.  Mark says of this piece,

“This jar is design with a pattern I personally call the “feather tails”. The tail feathers come down the center of the design.  There are symbols of storms or rain in each of the center sections of the feathers.  Each of these areas are different with one section filled in, one left open and so on.  The one that is left open represents the clearing after the storm or rains.  I attached bat wings to the sides of the extended tail feathers.  These are to represent the Nampeyo style migration pattern.  Each of the bat wing pairs are different.  I like that when they are different on each side the jar itself looks unique as it is turned.  The color of this jar from the firing is simply awesome for Hopi!”

It is exciting to see how Mark reinterprets such a culturally and historically infused design.  The deep color of this jar is striking and shows off the complex painted designs!  The entire surface of the jar is fully polished before it is painted. The jar is signed with a pipe for his “Tobacco Clan”.