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View 1. Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

View 1.
Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Date: 1910-1920
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 25.4 × 29.2 cm (10 × 11 1/2 in.)
Weight: 1.9 kg (4.2 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1925.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.391
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma polychrome water jar; four-color; white slip with black and orange painted decoration. The design consists of an all over geometric design. Two main large diamond shaped design areas, one on each side of the jar, with hatch filled zigzags (lightning), and black filled triangles (clouds) on the interior. The exterior of the diamond design is framed with an orange band (rainbow) that ends in two scrolls with a stepped triangle on each end. Triangles of clouds and rain lines follow the exterior of the orange band to create a pinwheel shape. A leaf/plant motif is between the larger designs on both sides of the jar. Red underbody and interior rim, concave base. Tall-necked, sharp-shouldered form.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit June 3-5, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 2”): The crack on this jar may have been repaired with pine pitch (visible on the interior and exterior). The “pinwheel” in the design was probably not intentional but rather a result of putting triangles on the interior of the scroll. Not much more was said about this jar.

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.