This is one of the famous “3 spouts” wedding vases by Silas Claw and Bertha Claw.  Bertha would make the pottery and the applique designs were applied and painted by Silas.  They began working together in 1968. This wedding vase has three spouts which are each connected by a “handle”.  It is one of the largest we have had from them in this style.  Around the sides is a Navajo woman who is herding the sheep. Check out the detail on her and especially her skirt!  There are seven sheep and one dog.  The grass and plants are painted onto the surface.  Their work is certainly “folk art” but there is wonderful detail created in Silas’s designs.  The colors were often oil paint applied after the firing to give the pieces a more “realistic” appearance. The piece would then be coated with varnish or a more traditional pinon pitch.  This vase is signed, S. B. Claw” on the bottom.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.