This is a classic high shoulder jar by Nathan Youngblood.  The piece is fully carved and polished a deep red.  The bowl has a classic “walking bear paw” design around the rim.  This design is one that Nathan learned from his grandmother, Margaret Tafoya, and continues to use on his pottery today.  Below the walking bear paws is a rainbow pattern that encircles the jar.  On one side below the dragonfly is a dragonfly, the “prayer messenger”.  On the other, above the rainbow are lightning, clouds, and rain patterns. It is a striking and complicated design.  On a technical note, there is a continuous precision and depth to the carving in his pottery.  The deep red clay slip is high in iron oxide and fires a deep red.  The contrast of the polished red and matte is stunning!  It is an exceptionally intricate jar with sharp edges and complex patterns. The jar is traditionally fired and 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!  It is signed on the bottom in the clay with his name and hallmarked name in Tewa, which means “Deer Path”.