This is a deeply carved red and tan bowl by Nathan Youngblood.  The bowl is coil-built, carved, stone polished and traditionally fired. The bowl is polished tan on the rim and the base.  What does it mean that it is polished “tan”?  The tan coloration in Santa Clara pottery is one of the most difficult to achieve.  The tan coloration is achieved by adding water to the surface of the dry vessel and then beginning to stone polish.  The film created on the surface becomes the “slip” and the tan is actually the natural color of the clay.  It is VERY difficult to get a high shine to the tan.  As well, during a traditional firing, it is also the riskiest as smoke and ash can easily discolor the surface.  The hoped-for result is an even caramel coloration on the surface of the piece.  The central band is deeply carved with interlocking clouds. They are polished a deep red coloration.  For Nathan’s red and tan pieces, after they are fired, he uses small 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!  It is signed on the bottom in the clay with his name and hallmarked name in Tewa, which means “Deer Path”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.