This is an exceptional larger jar by Nancy Youngblood. The shape is a classic water jar with a fluted rim. Nancy has used the very deeply carved melon ribs as the form for the jar.  They extend down from the rim to the base creating her signature “S” swirl as they hit the shoulder and round down to the bottom.  The rim is fluted with the ribs raised on the edge.  The shape is a classic form of Nancy’s great-grandmother, Sara Fina Tafoya, who was known for the fluted rim, which she called a “rain drop” rim.  As well, note the depth of the carving on this piece.  The entire bowl is fully polished which takes an extraordinary amount of time.  Consider that each rib has two “sides”to be polished and the surface area of the piece is about double its size!  Nancy has won numerous awards for her melon bowls and this is undoubtedly a classic of her style!