Wedding Vase with Horned Toad Appliqués

Betty Manygoats, Wedding Vase with Horned Toad Appliqués, 1988, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock, 1997.124.162
Copied Betty Manygoats, Wedding Vase with Horned Toad Appliqués, 1988, fired clay with piñon pitch, 2311 3811 38 in. (58.429.029.0 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock, 1997.124.162

Artwork Details

Title
Wedding Vase with Horned Toad Appliqués
Date
1988
Dimensions
2311 3811 38 in. (58.429.029.0 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock
Mediums Description
fired clay with piñon pitch
Classifications
Keywords
  • Animal — amphibian — toad
  • Object — other — vase
Object Number
1997.124.162

Artwork Description

This piece resembles a traditional Navajo wedding vase, which has two spouts joined by a handle to symbolize two lives coming together. Betty Manygoats started with this shape, then broke with Navajo tradition by covering the clay with Na'ash-'ii dich'izhii, or horned toads. In Navajo culture the horned toad symbolizes good health, strength, and protection.