Native American Navajo Fine-Etched Horsehair Smoke Pot with Turtle

This beautiful traditional pot, made by Hilda Whitegoat, features a turtle at the center, surrounded by traditional etching. The turtle is a symbol of longevity and water, a scarce resource in the southwest desert. In many Native American traditions, we are living on the back of a turtle. The shape of this pot was traditionally used as a "smoke pot" used to burn dried herbs for smudging, to cleanse the area and the people of evil spirits. Dimensions: 5 inches tall by 5.5 inches in diameter.