Wedding Jar
Unknown Artist
c. 1900
Medium
ceramic
Dimensions
15.5 × 21.5 cm
Classification
Ceramic
Department
Art of the Americas
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Horatio Ford
Accession Number
1933.16
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
At Santa Clara Pueblo, the double-spouted wedding jar is made not only to sell but also for use during its namesake ceremony, when the bride and groom drink from opposite spouts. The origin of the unusual form is unclear; once considered a modern innovation, it may instead be an ancient form revived in the late 1800s, perhaps in response to market forces that tourism set in play. This example is made from the black ware for which Santa Clara potters are known.