This is a traditionally designed large wedding vase by Margaret Tafoya.  It is from the 1950s. The wedding vase has a round body and elongated necks.  In the 1950s, Margaret made some of her the largest pieces of her career.  Each piece was coil-built, carved, and stone polished.  Her large wedding vases are among her most iconic works. The top of the shoulder on this piece is fully carved with a fluid design that is not repeated as the piece is turned. There are clouds, rain, mountains, and even an old-style avanyu as part of the designs.  They are deeply carved into the clay.  The entire surface is fully polished, including the handle and it was then traditionally outdoor fired. It is always amazing to me to consider that pieces like this not only survived the drying stage but the firing as well!  The wedding vase is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Margaret Tafoya”.  It is in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.