Unsigned – San Ildefonso Polychrome Wedding Vase with Lightning Designs (1915-20)

This is a creative wedding vase from San Ildefonso Pueblo.  It is from around 191-20. The piece is made from native clay, slipped white and painted.  It must be an early wedding vase, as look at the spouts. They are formed as if they are the spouts on a pitcher, to be able to pour from each side with the rounded end.  The handle is painted with a checkerboard design and the sides have lightning patterns in black and red.  The piece was certainly made for the growing tourist trade in Santa Fe and Taos in the early 1900s.  The wedding vase was traditionally fired, giving it the coloration on the surface.  It is unsiged and there are just not enough indicators to create a strong attribution.  However, it is in very good condition with no chips,  cracks, restoration or repair.