This is a classic wedding vase by Christina Naranjo.   Christina was a sister of Margaret Tafoya and Camilio Tafoya, as well as the matriarch of the family of potters including Teresita Naranjo and Tammy Garcia. This piece is coil-built and fully polished.  There is an impressed bear paw on two sides.  The bear paw design is carved into the clay before it is polished.  The bear paw tells the story of a bear that leads the Pueblo people to water during a drought.  The wedding vase is fired a deep black.  It was originally purchased in 1968 and with the strength of shape and polish, it is easy to see why her work was so sought after by collectors in the 1970s!  This piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Christina”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a piece of history and a classic of Native Pueblo art!