Navajo Indian Pottery Horse Hair Wedding Vase Bear Etched Painted Russell Sam

Russell Sam has created a lovely Horse Hair Wedding Vase. It measures 10" tall by over 5" in diameter. He has etched various traditional designs for decoration--including  two 1" square bears to highlight two sides--front and back.  How neat. He has used some traditional southwestern colors to highlight his etchings--including blues, greens, oranges, white and browns.  A truly unique and lovely wedding vase.  Russell has etched "Russell Sam-Navajo" on the bottom of this darling  wedding vase.

THE STORY OF THE WEDDING VASE: The wedding vase has been part of the Navajo Pueblo culture for several centuries. The vase has two openings with a bridge at the top. The bridge symbolizes the joining of two lives into one. The parents of the groom take the vase and present it to the bride during the wedding ceremony. The bride and groom will then drink sacred water from opposite sides of the vase. Afterward, the couple will use the remaining sacred water to cleanse each others hands. This ceremony bonds the couple together and unites them in eternal love. Being sacred, the vase should never be destroyed or damaged.

A contemporary style of pottery is known as “Horse Hair”. They pour a ceramic white slip substance into a mold forming whatever shape of pot or item they want. They let it dry—clean and polish it—then fire it in a kiln. Next a thin layer of horse hair (taken during grooming) is artistically spread over the surface of the pottery—by hand. Precise timing and temperatures are required to allow the horse hair to correctly burn into the clay. The hair from the mane creates ’fine’ lines. The hair from the tail produces ’thick’ lines. As the hair is consumed by the fire, it twists and burns, each piece of pottery becoming an original—never to be duplicated again—a unique piece of art. They clean the finished piece with a dry material producing a unique marbleized pot. No paint or glaze is used. The family finishes each piece by applying stones (often turquoise), hides, or artistic etchings to the pot. The process is hazardous and time consuming. Every original design is made in New Mexico. The pieces are all signed. The parents have taught their art to their children so these unique, originals continue to be made.

THE BEAR STORY: Many Native American Tribes honored the spirit of the bear as a magical being, the Shaman of the animal world. The Bear is considered a totem for healing, protection and good fortune. A great choice for a wedding vase design!!

This vase is STRICTLY DECORATIVE. NO WATER OR LIQUIDS!

Item # A-891.

List price $80.00.

Check out our website for other horse hair pottery items.