Andraya Manygoats Yazzie is a daughter of Betty Manygoats.  This is a classic stew bowl set, made famous by her mother, Betty Manygoats. The set has a jar with a horned lizard on one side and an agave on the other side.  They are in relief.  A large ladle sits inside, and a lid is on top. Two spoons are in the two handles. It is a charming and complex piece.  The horned lizard is in the style of her mother, and the scales on the lizard are created using a bobby pin!  All the pieces were traditionally fired and have striking blushes on the surface.   After they were fired, they were covered in pine pitch in the manner of traditional Navajo pottery.  The piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “AY”.  She continues her mother’s legacy in clay!

Why the horned lizard?  “In the Diné culture Horned Toad is addressed as “grandpa” (shicheii). It possesses spiritual power. When you see one, pick it up and rub it on your chest and say, “I will be in good health and harmony.” If you have corn pollen sprinkle it as an offering and then let the horned lizard loose where you found it. You will then have good health and harmony. It is believed that the horned toad is dressed with an armored shield, which is called arrowhead. The spiky horns on the body represent the arrowheads. This protects the horned toad from predators. It was placed on earth with songs and prayers so that in the future the Diné would utilize it. The Diné still know and use its sacred prayers and songs for protection.”  Traditional Dine Teachings on Wildlife (1998)