This is a very traditionally inspired canteen by Ida Sahmie.  The canteen is made from native clay and fully polished.  It stands but also has a flat back.  The front is painted with a combination of “Mother Earth” and “Father Sky”.  These are designs that are often seen in sandpaintings.  Here, Ida has painted them using natural clay slips and bee-weed (a plant) for the black.  Father Sky is in the center, with the cosmos painted on the body. Mother Earth is in the center with the four sacred plants and other imagery painted on the polished red surface.  The figure is surrounded by a painted rainbow.  The designs are all etched and painted onto the clay surface.  The canteen was traditionally fired, and it is signed on the bottom, “Ida Sahmie,” and it is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.

The story of Father Sky and Mother Earth, and the Dine people is as follows:

“The Navajo people, the Diné, passed through three different worlds before emerging into this world, The Fourth World, or Glittering World. The Diné believe there are two classes of beings: the Earth People and the Holy People. The Holy People are believed to have the power to aid or harm the Earth People. Since Earth People of the Diné are an integral part of the universe, they must do everything they can to maintain harmony or balance on Mother Earth.  It is believed that centuries ago the Holy People taught the Diné how to live the right way and to conduct their many acts of everyday life. They were taught to live in harmony with Mother Earth, Father Sky and the many other elements such as man, animals, plants, and insects.”