The Wedding Vase
Mixed media print on paper, likely a lithograph or serigraph with embossing and 3D embellishments • Likely Frank Howell or an artist in the style of the Southwest Contemporary movement such as R.C. Gorman or David Bradley; however, the lower inscription suggests a commercial fine art edition
Style & Movement
Southwest Contemporary / Native American-style Pop Art
Medium & Technique
Ink on deckle-edged paper, embossed black mat board with Southwestern motifs, and applied beadwork (turquoise heishi-style beads)
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1980-1995)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 14 inches (framed); Portrait orientation
Subject Description
Centrally featured is a traditional Pueblo-style Wedding Vase with a bifurcated spout. The vase is decorated with avian or geometric motifs. It is framed by a black embossed mat featuring lightning and plateau symbols, and the vase is adorned with a strand of actual turquoise-colored beads.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the print and matting appear well-preserved under glass, though the frame shows minor wear at corners
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired via a gallery specializing in Southwestern art or a high-end decorative art retailer in the American West
Art Historical Significance
Represents the late 20th-century trend of 'Santa Fe Style' that merged traditional Indigenous iconography with modern graphic design and mixed-media framing techniques
Notable Features
Distinguished by the inclusion of physical beads and the high-relief embossing on the dark primary matting which adds tactile depth to the graphic work
Condition Issues
Slight reflection indicates glass is non-UV protected; potential for minor fading if exposed to direct sunlight over time; frame corner caps show slight aging
Conservation Recommendations
Upgrade to UV-protective museum glass to prevent fading of the colored inks and the turquoise beads; maintain in a low-humidity environment