Native American Laguna Handbuilt and Handcarved Seed Pot with Water Serpent

Description

Native American Laguna Handbuilt and Handcarved Seed Pot with Water Serpent by Sue Tapia

This small beautiful handbuilt and carved seed pot was created by Laguna potter Sue Tapia. In the fall the women would take the seeds for next Spring and place them in these pots and then stack them. These pots would be placed in the corner of their home, stacked so the bottom of one pot would seal the top of the other. This storage technique would save space and keep the rodents from ruining next years' seed crop. This pot is deeply carved with a water serpent (Avanyu) protecting the seed, then traditionally fired. Avanyu symbolizes not only the importance of water in the desert cultures but also pays tribute to the water serpent who saved the people when their land flooded. The serpent came up to the mesa where they were starving and regurgitated all of the seeds they would need to replant their crops and feed themselves.