Wedding Vase with Braided Handles

Alice Cling, Wedding Vase with Braided Handles, May, 1987, fired clay with red clay slip and piñon pitch, 8 126 126 12 in. (21.616.516.5 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
Dimensions
8 126 126 12 in. (21.616.516.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock
Mediums Description
fired clay with red clay slip and piñon pitch
Classifications
Subjects
  • Object — other — vase
Object Number
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.

More Artworks from the Collection

Claire Falkenstein, City is Man, 1941-1952, linocut, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.14, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
City is Man
Date1941-1952
linocut
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Untitled, 1976, embossed paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.18, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Untitled
Date1976
embossed paper
Not on view
Claire Falkenstein, Mandala, 1977, lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of The Falkenstein Foundation, 2019.27.19, ©1997, The Falkenstein Foundation
Mandala
Date1977
lithograph
Not on view
Les Quais de la Seine a Paris
Date1917
hand-colored etching on postcard
Not on view