Wedding Vase with Braided Handles

Alice Cling, Wedding Vase with Braided Handles, May, 1987, fired clay with red clay slip and piñon pitch, 8 1⁄2 x 6 1⁄2 x 6 1⁄2 in. (21.6 x 16.5 x 16.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock, 1997.124.146

Artwork Details

Title
Wedding Vase with Braided Handles
Artist
Date
May, 1987
Location
Dimensions
8 1⁄2 x 6 1⁄2 x 6 1⁄2 in. (21.6 x 16.5 x 16.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock
Mediums
Mediums Description
fired clay with red clay slip and piñon pitch
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — other — vase
Object Number
1997.124.146
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.124.146

Artwork Description

Traditional Native American wedding vases have two spouts joined by a handle to symbolize two lives coming together as one. In this piece, created by Navajo potter Alice Cling, there is only one opening, and the braided handles represent the two sides of a relationship. During the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds drink blessed water from the vase.

Works by this artist (32 items)

View all artworks
Eliot Clark, Toward the Heights--Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.8
Toward the Heights – Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Shiva's Realm, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.19
Shiva’s Realm
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Nanda Devi at Dawn--Mayavati Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.24
Nanda Devi at Dawn – Mayavati Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Last Light, Nanda Devi--Himalayas XI, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.20
Last Light, Nanda Devi – Himalayas XI
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
William H. Johnson, Male Model on Stool, ca. 1939-1940, tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.238
Male Model on Stool
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1940
tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Induction Center, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.169
Induction Center
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Family Reunion, ca. 1940-1941, tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1061R-V
Family Reunion
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Children at Ice Cream Stand, ca. 1939-1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1097R
Children at Ice Cream Stand
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view