This is an exceptional carved jar by Nancy Youngblood.  It is one of her red free form swirl designs.  There are swirls representing water near the base.  Around the center are her shell patterns.  The shells on this piece are complicated with rounded sections which are reminiscent of the melon ribs.  The top section has deeply carved swirls extending down from the rim.  Note the depth of the carving. The lid has a flame style design which extends upward. She has also used a red micaceous clay in addition to the polished surfaces on the lid.  The complexity for a piece this size with the depth of carving in the ribs and one the lid is exceptional.  The jar has been traditionally fired and the red has a rich coloration.  Nancy has won numerous awards for her melon bowls, and this is undoubtedly a creative use of her melon rib style!