Native American Hopi Handbuilt and Handpainted Wedding Vase with Corn Maiden and Longhair

Description

Native American Hopi Handbuilt and Handpainted Wedding Vase with Corn Maiden and Longhair by Delaine Tootsie

This wonderful handbuilt and handpainted wedding vase was created by Delaine Tootsie, a Hopi potter who has been making pots since she was a little girl. Her hand-dug clay is sometimes multicolored and the designs go back hundreds of years in her family history as does the textured bottoms she has on some of her pots. This vase has the Corn Maiden on one spout. Her presence is a prayer for corn. She also honors Mother Earth and her continuing ability to feed her children. The other spout features a Longhair whose purpose is to bring rain, and it is said that they seldom dance without the appearance of a soft gentle rain to help the crops grow.

The Wedding Vase is an ancient vessel still used in traditional Pueblo wedding ceremonies. Each spout of the vessel represents one of those to be wed. The looped handle represents the unity achieved with marriage. The space created within the loop represents the circle of life. In the traditional ceremony, the couple drink nectar (prepared by the medicine man) from the spouts to represent the blending of their lives. The pot is a reflection of the ancient rite. Delaine has never made wedding vases until we requested she try them.