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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele

Date: c. 1890
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 19.1 × 22.9 cm (7 1/2 × 9 in.)
Weight: 1.5 kg (3.2 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.253
Not on view
DescriptionWhite slip with black and red painted decoration; decorated band around neck with repeating motif; deer and curvilinear motifs on body; dark body and concave base.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksOctavius Seowtewa during collection review visit Nov. 16 and 17, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 3”): No remarks for this jar.

As per Jim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2011 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 7”): The rim is painted black. The neck design is divided into five panels that each contain bird elements (including wings with rain lines) and clouds. They remind Mr. Enote of designs he has seen on some Hopi ceramics. A thick double line with a line break separates the neck from the body. The body is decorated with four sets of deer with heartlines. The deer are surrounded by tail feathers, bird heads, and wings. A thin line separates the body from the base. The base is a solid dark brown and shows some wear. There is some efflorescence visible on the base. The jar has a concave base.

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.