Heavily stamped wedding vase by master silversmith Sunshine Reeves. The 1 5/8” x 2 3/4” vase is sterling silver.
Sunshine's intricate stamp work and creative designs make his work a favorite of collectors.
The wedding vase has been a part of Pueblo tradition for centuries. The two spouts represent two separate lives. The top part of the vase unite these as one. For the ceremony the vase is filled with Indian holy water. The bride drinks from one side and the groom from the opposite side. This is the same as exchanging wedding bands. The married couple will keep this vase throughout their married life.
About the artist
Sunshine Reeves
Daniel “Sunshine” Reeves was born in 1966 into a family of silversmiths. His older brothers, Gary and David (both deceased) taught him the art of working in silver, with which he has gone on to become one of the most distinguished silversmiths in the country. He has been an active, professional Navajo silversmith since 1986. He is also the half-brother of Andy and Darrell Cadman. Sunshine is known for his distinctive stamp work. He uses an average of 10-20 handmade stamps to complete a pattern. His intricate stamp work and creative designs make his work a favorite of collectors.
Reeves’ pieces begin with flat sheets of silver, which are then deeply hand-stamped and shaped to form intricately decorated bracelets, boxes, and even kerosene lanterns. Though the process is time-consuming and labor intensive, (each individual mark on a piece represents a separate hammer blow) the finished products are beautiful and entirely unique art objects.
Sunshine is well recognized as a master in his field. His work has been displayed at the Peabody Museum, Harvard University, and the Heard Museum. Reeves also took the Best of Show award at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial and is the only silversmith to win Best of Show at the famed Santa Fe Indian Market.
The nickname, “Sunshine” was given by family members when he was young, because of his light colored hair.
