Native American Santa Clara Handbuilt and and Carved Wedding Vase

Description

Native American Santa Clara Handbuilt and and Carved Wedding Vase by Celes, Evelyn and Sue Tafoya

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. Native American potters Celes, Evelyn and Sue Tafoya of Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. This pot is deeply carved with a water serpent (Avanyu), then traditionally fired. The black is from firing the clay over and over again and polishing the piece between firings. It is the oxygen that is deprived during hot firing process that creates that blackened surface of the clay. A beautiful piece of Santa Clara pottery. Avanyu symbolizes not only the importance of water in the desert cultures but also pays tribute to the water serpent who saved the people when their land flooded. The serpent swam up to the mesa where they were starving and regurgitated all of the seeds they would need to replant their crops and feed themselves.