Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1880 - 1890
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 25.4 × 30.5 cm (10 × 12 in.)
Weight: 2.4 kg (5.35 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of the Spanish and Indian Trading Company.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.412
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 17 and 18, 2010 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 4”): The neck is very high and has a slight lip, which might have made it possible to tie a cover over the jar. It shows little wear; however, there is a large broken section missing from the rim (nearly the entire height of the neck). The neck designs include rain birds and cloud steps. There is a line break in the line separating the neck band from the body designs. Immediately beneath that line is a line of water waves wrapping around the jar. The body designs include rain birds filled with rain hatching, feathers, wings, tails, and step clouds. The base is painted a solid brown. There is very little wear on the base.
The word for a water jar in Zuni is “k'yabokya de'ele,” which translates to “water container vessel” in English. The intended use for these jars was to store and carry water, but they could also be used to store other items.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
Pueblo Designs
- Pg. 31
- Fig. Plate VII, 4
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.