Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2007 School for Advanced Research.
Wedding vase
Date: 1900-1920
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 33 × 27.9 cm (13 × 11 in.)
Weight: 2.2 kg (4.95 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.957
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 17-19, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 5”): This was probably used as both a wedding vase and a water jar. It is a four-color polychrome with white, black, orange, and a unique brown (possibly red). The interior of the vase is pink, which could possibly be a paint that was added post-firing and likely not by the artist. “Zwei ½” written in pencil under the price.
It was noted that wedding vases or the vase form is a more recent shape. This form was created to cater to the tourist market in the early 1900’s. When the trains came through is when new and smaller forms started appearing to continue making sales to tourists.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Vases likely came into production as a tourist trade item. The vase form may be an influence from other cultures. Vases are still being made and used today at Acoma in both traditional natural and commercial materials.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
Acoma and Laguna Pottery
- Pg. p. 74, 220
- Fig. 4.7
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.