This is a classic carved jar by Mela Youngblood.  She was a daughter of Margaret Tafoya and began making pottery in the late 1960s.  She quickly achieved a distinctive style for her work.  Each piece of her work was very highly polished and when carved the edges are distinctly rounded.  This jar has a round shoulder and a short neck.  The design is carved around the center of the jar. There are rain, cloud, and lighting designs. The entire piece is fully polished and fired a dark black coloration.   The jar is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  It is signed on the bottom, “Mela Youngblood”.