This is one of the few double signature pieces by Nathan Youngblood and his mother, Mela.  The jar is from the 1980s.  It was made and carved by Nathan and polished by Mela.  The jar is carved with the walking bear paw design around the shoulder.  The design is one which is often seen in the work of Margaret Tafoya and it is meant to represent the path of a bear walking.  The jar is very highly polished and perfectly fired.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Nathan Youngblood, Mela Youngblood”.  Definitely a classic and historically important bowl by all three of these significant potters!