Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: c. 1900 - 1910
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 35.6 × 25.4 cm (14 × 10 in.)
Weight: 3.1 kg (6.75 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Obtained by the Indian Arts Fund for the permanent collection, 1936.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.2015
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit December 7 and 8, 2010 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 5”): The rim is painted black and has some erosion. The neck designs have three birds with crests painted in red and black. The birds are filled with rain hatching that includes dots that may represent hail, seeds, or planting holes. A triple line (the middle line is thick) with a line break separates the neck from the body designs. The body has three black and red birds with crests, tails, feathers, and step clouds. The birds are filled with rain hatching. There is a single line with a line break separating the body from the base. The base is black and shows very little wear. This is curious because the rim and neck have wear consistent with extensive use as a water jar, while the base has hardly any wear at all. It is possible the base may have been repaired (possibly re-painted and re-fired?).
The word for a water jar in Zuni is “k'yabokya,” which translates to “water container” 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:
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.