This is a classic red and tan bowl by Nancy Youngblood.  The bowl is deeply carved with a water serpent (avanyu) encircling the piece. The avanyu tells the story of the village being saved during a flood. The shape of the avanyu is reminiscent of water coursing through a canyon or arroyo and note how the tongue and tail always intersect.  On this piece, Nancy has deeply carved the avanyu into the clay.  The body of the avanyu is carved with swirls and sharp lighting edges.  It is fully polished red and the remainder of the piece is matte tan.  What you can’t see in the photos, but can feel in person is how perfectly Nancy has sanded the tan areas at the top and bottom of the bowl.  They are perfectly smooth and feel like soft leather.  As with all pottery, the tactile side of holding a piece is always important.  On this bowl, it is critical as the smooth surfaces and the sharp edge of the carving, in addition to the coloration, are what makes it so stunning! The bowl is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Nancy Youngblood, 2003”.