This is a complex and elegant large oval jar by Nancy Youngblood.  It combines a variety of her designs into one piece. The jar is coil-built and fully carved.  On one side there is her iconic “four directions” design. There are four sections with two different styles of melon ribs.  They create a dynamic pattern.  Each of the sections has 14 ribs, for a total of 56!  When the jar is turned, the opposite side has a large dragonfly surrounded by shells and an avanyu. The wings of the dragonfly are each made up of melon ribs.  The edges of each shell have 11 rounded ribs to create the shape of the shell.  The dragonfly is ascending up from the water, which is represented by the avanyu.  On the sides of the dragonfly are large carved clouds.  The entire piece is highly polished and fired to a glassy black coloration.  It is exceptional to see how Nancy is able to incorporate so much imagery into one piece!   It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Nancy Youngblood”.  There are photos are of the jar in the traditional firing.  The last image is of the jar featured in Native Art Magazine, June/July 2023.