Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: c. 1860
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 25.4 × 30.5 cm (10 × 12 in.)
Weight: 2.6 kg (5.8 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of the Indian Art Education Fund, 1924.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.316
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 of this jar is unusually tall and is slightly flared, possibly so that a cover could be tied over the opening. It may have been used for storage or as a water jar. The neck band incorporates bird elements such as wing and tail feathers, and clouds. The body design includes very stylized rainbirds, stepped clouds, and rain hatching. The checkerboard pattern at the top of the rainbirds is a very old design that can be seen on pre-Contact pottery, such as pieces from Kechibawa. (The place name Kechibawa is derived from the Zuni word “kechiba,” which means “gypsum” in English. Zuni people used to make a type of whitewash from gypsum. Kechibawa was probably given its name because it was a place where gypsum was found or where the gypsum whitewash was used.) The wear on the base appears natural.
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)
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.