Youngblood, Nathan – Red Jar with Avanyu and Swirl Lid

7"w x 9"h

$ 8,800.00

Nathan Youngblood is renowned for his deeply carved pottery and spectacular polished surfaces.  This jar is fully carved and polished a glassy red. Around the shoulder is a deeply carved avanyu encircling the piece. This classic Santa Clara design has cloud and rain patterns as part of the body of the water serpent, and the story of how it saved the village from a flood.  Below the avanyu are cloud designs and the ‘walking bear paw’ design.  There is a matte band separating the avanyu from the designs below.  The lid, however, is the perfect addition to the jar!  It is tan polished and has a matte melon swirl top!  The contrast of the matte with the red and tan is visually striking on this piece.   On Nathan’s red and tan 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!  The jar is signed on the bottom with his name and deer tracks representing his name in Tewa.