Youngblood, Nathan – Jar with Bear Paw Medallions

7.5"w x 5.75"h

$ 7,000.00

This is a classic low shoulder jar by Nathan Youngblood.  The jar is fully carved and has a bear paw medallion on each side.  One is Nathan’s bear paw and the other is in the style of his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya.  Surrounding the bear paws are cloud, rain, and geometric patterns.  The entire piece is fully polished a deep red.  Note how even the neck is fully polished!  The jar was traditionally fired to a deep red.  On Nathan’s red pieces, after they are fired, he uses screwdrivers to scrape the background area and the side of the carving.  This can take almost as much time as the carving or polishing itself!  Amazing the amount of time that goes into each vessel and yet how stunning they appear!  The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay “Nathan Youngblood” and his hallmark which are deer tracks, which symbolize his name in Tewa.