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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2013 School for Advanced Research.

Seed jar

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2013 School for Advanced Research.

Seed jar

Date: c. 1900-1910
Attributed to: Tsiewieta Stevan (born c. 1879-1885)
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 6.1 × 12.1 cm (2 3/8 × 4 3/4 in.)
Weight: 0.2 kg (0.55 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of Dwight and Lorri Lanmon, 2013.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.2013-3-1
Not on view
DescriptionA small white-on-red seed jar. The exterior is slipped red with white painted decoration. The design consists of bird and floral designs. The rim of the jar is painted black, and two thin black lines are painted just above the base. The interior is glazed (done by Josephine Foard at Laguna Pueblo, c. 1900-1910). There is a paper label adhered to the base with artist and gallery information on it.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 11-13, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 6”): The same red slip that is used to paint the base of a jar is likely the same red that is painted all over the jar. Not much more was said about this jar.

The sticker on the bottom of this jar has the name “Ziwitze” on it. It was later thought to be Tsiwieta Stevan by Dwight Lanmon. The participants believe that the artist Tsiwieta could be pronounced, Tzee-why-sh’tiya, which is Mary Histia’s Acoma name; however it is not certain if this piece is done by her as her maiden name may have Lewis/Hashkaya (Luis as recorded in the 1937/1939 Acoma census) and not Stevan.

According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”: Seed jars are used for storing items like seeds from vegetables and fruits, or smaller items such as beans, plants and pine nuts. They were often sealed to preserve what they were storing. Seed jar forms are still being made and used today at Acoma. They are characterized by having a flatter shoulder area coming to a circular opening at the center. Like all forms being produced today, they are produced and painted with both traditional natural and commercial materials. Older seed jar forms tend to have a lower half that looks similar to a water jar or bowl shape. More recent seed jar forms tend to be spherical or saucer like in shape and medium to small in size.
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.