Native American Navajo Fine Etched Horsehair Wedding Vase with Horses

The Wedding Vase is an ancient vessel still used in traditional Pueblo wedding ceremonies. Each spout symbolizes one of the individuals to be wed, while the looped handle signifies the unity attained through marriage. The space within the loop represents the circle of life. During the ceremony, the couple drinks nectar, prepared by the medicine man, from the spouts to symbolize the merging of their lives. This beautifully etched vase, adorned with horses encircling it, reflects this ancient rite. Horses, which allowed the People to travel farther, faster, and with less energy, made hunting more efficient and successful. ^