Native American Hopi Handbuilt and Handpainted Wedding Vase with Eagles

Description

Native American Hopi Handbuilt and Handpainted Wedding Vase with Eagles 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 specatcular piece has the Hopi Eagle Katsina dancing on one side and all around the opposite side are traditional Hopi eagle designs. The eagle is the communicator between the Great Spirit and the People. 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.