Navajo Etched Terracotta Rain Line Gourd Vase by Ben Billy

A Navajo etched pottery vase by Ben Billy, marked BWL on the recessed base. The tall elegant gourd form has a long graceful tapered neck and wide flared shoulder that drops to a rounded belly and small flat base. The entire body below the neck is covered in deep etched vertical rain lines with irregular drip and dash marks, running from just below the shoulder all the way to the lower base band. A clean horizontal incised line separates the plain burnished neck from the etched body zone. The two-tone effect comes entirely from the contrast between the darker burnished terracotta surface and the lighter raw clay exposed by the etching, with no colored slip used.

• Navajo handmade etched clay pottery
• Tall elegant gourd form with long graceful tapered neck and wide flared shoulder
• Unslipped warm terracotta throughout, no colored slip
• Deep etched vertical rain lines with irregular drip and dash marks across full body
• Clean horizontal incised line separating neck from etched body zone
• Two-tone effect from contrast between burnished terracotta surface and raw clay exposed by etching
• Marked BWL on recessed base
• Height: 4.47 in, Width: 3.24 in
• Weight: approximately 7.40 oz
• One of a kind piece

Dust lightly with a soft dry brush. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from moisture. Handle with care around the etched relief surface.

Handcrafted by Navajo artist Ben Billy. Each piece is unique.