Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1870-1880
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 26.7 × 30.5 cm (10 1/2 × 12 in.)
Weight: 2 kg (4.35 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of H. P. Mera, 1924.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.242
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit April 22-24, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 1”): Only one shade of red was used on this jar for the design, base, and the interior of the mouth (rim). The body of the jar has a band of eight alternating (four each) diamond shaped designs, one with two black bands with three bands of pathways and the other with four black bands and one larger band of black filled triangles, possibly clouds or mountains. Rain lines and mountains are on both ends of the diamond shapes. On the neck are eight red filled triangles with black triangles with a leaf shape in the negative space. It was also noted that the negative space on this jar looks like leaves.
It is not clearly stated if the person the jar was purchased from is from Acoma, however, Olivas is not a known Acoma surname.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): The shape of a water jar is characterized by usually having a concave base (can also have a flat base) leading to a wider body and shoulder area. The shoulder, which is typically rounded but can also be sharp, leads inward and up to the neck and opening of the water jar. Historic water jars will sometimes have an indentation from the base the pot was built on (also known as a puki).
Water jars of all sizes are made and used. Medium to small size water jars are more commonly used to carry water as the weight of a filled water jar can become quite heavy. Large sized water jars would be used for storing water. Today at Acoma, water jars are still being used and made in both traditional natural and commercial materials.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
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.