Vintage Hopi Redware Wedding Vase Ceremonial by Bessie Namoki 

This Vintage Hopi Wedding Vase is made by Hopi-Tewa artist Bessie Namoki, and brings together the beauty of the masculine and feminine energies in a gorgeous piece of pottery. Wedding vases were traditionally created as a ceremonial piece used to symbolize the unity of marriage, and were usually made by the groom's family and presented to the couple for them to use and maintain for their lives. One spout represents the husband, and the other the wife, and in some tribes they would have to drink from both spouts at the same time; if they were successful at doing so, then that would translate into them having a lasting marriage. Bessie Namoki crafted this wedding vase on a smaller scale than ones typically used in these ceremonies, but still painted traditional symbols, that being of a man and woman next to each other, found on wedding vases. There is also a painted symbol on the handle, which is to represent the two halves on either side of the vase. This piece is 7-11/16" tall and 5" wide, signed by the artist, and is vintage circa 1960's. Full of history, this Vintage Hopi Wedding Vase Ceremonial by Bessie Namoki is stunning!

Bessie Namoki (1922-2010) of Polacca, AZ was active from the mid-to-late 20th century. She is referenced in Schaaf's "Hopi-Tewa Pottery, 500 Artist Biographies".