Navajo Tom Vail Horsehair Pottery Spirit Bear With Etched Indian Symbols

Details

Description

Vintage Horsehair Pottery Spirit Bear by Navajo artisan Tom Vail. The horsehair bear represents a tradition of healing, strength and … Read more Vintage Horsehair Pottery Spirit Bear by Navajo artisan Tom Vail. The horsehair bear represents a tradition of healing, strength and courage. The etched symbols adorning its body are thought to represent Kivas, although their exact meaning may carry deeper significance. Nice condition, a few small glaze chips as shown in the last two photos.

Measurements
5-3/8" x 2" x 3-1/2" tall
Net weight 6.05 oz

The Vail family is well known for their contemporary style of pottery known as “horse hair”. Tom Vail married into the Navajo Nation. Tom, along with his children William “Skeeter” Vail, Loveitha Vail-Sanchez and their spouses Geraldine Vail and Ray Sanchez, create horsehair pottery. To make the pottery, they pour a ceramic white slip substance into a mold. Next, they pour out the excess slip and let it sit to dry. The ceramicware is then cleaned and polished. The ceramic pot is then heated in a kiln. Mane hair or tail hair is then thrown randomly on the heated pot. The resulting carbon being drawn into the surface of the pot creates the wonderful designs and patterns. Finally, they clean the finish pottery with a dry material and the finished product is a unique marblized flare styled pot.

Origin: New Mexico
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo See less