Nathan Youngblood Pottery Appraisal

Carved Blackware Seed Pot by Nathan Youngblood

This is a contemporary Santa Clara Pueblo blackware seed pot, highly characteristic of the master potter Nathan Youngblood. The vessel exhibits a spherical, globular form with a small circular opening at the top. It is constructed from hand-gathered native clay, coil-built, and outdoor-fired in a reduction atmosphere to achieve its signature deep, jet-black carbon finish. The jar features Youngblood's hallmark deep-carving technique, showcasing a rhythmic, stylized wave or cloud motif that wraps around the center of the vessel. The contrast between the high-gloss, stone-polished surfaces and the matte-textured, buffed-out recessed carving creates a striking visual depth. The craftsmanship is of exceptional quality, visible in the precision of the lines and the uniformity of the polish. There are no visible chips, cracks, or repairs; the surface appears to be in excellent condition with a rich, metallic-like patina. Based on the style and maturation of the technique, this piece likely dates to the late 20th or early 21st century. The bowl to its left is a separate black-on-black geometric jar, providing a sense of scale for this approximately 4-6 inch diameter seed pot.