Navajo (Diné) Wedding Vessel [SOLD]

Prior to the 1950s, most pottery made by the Diné was for use by them and consisted of dishes, cooking vessels, and coffee pots and cups.  As tourism began to increase on the reservation after the completion of road improvements in 1961, the Diné began to take inspiration from pueblo potters who were making a living selling to tourists and collectors.

The Diné potters began borrowing forms found successful by pueblo potters.  One Navajo trader commented that he noticed a correlation with new forms appearing following the publication of Arizona Highways in the late 1960s of photographs of pueblo wedding vases that created demand for such by Diné potters.  Also noted was the appearance of male potters.

This wedding vase was made by a potter named Jerry Whitethorn.  As of now, I have not been able to find any information on him regarding whether he is still an active potter or not.  This piece came from the collection of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, famous collectors and authors of Navajo folk art, an indication that it is an older item. 

The vase pictures a cliff dwelling in bas relief of the type seen at Canyon de Chelly, ancestral home of the Navajo, following their move from New Mexico in the 18^th century.  It is on both sides of the stirrup of the vessel.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from the personal collection of Chuck and Jan Rosenak, collectors and authors of Navajo folk art.

Recommended Reading:  The People Speak: Navajo Folk Art by Chuck and Jan Rosenak