Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: c. 1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 30.5 × 33 cm (12 × 13 in.)
Weight: 2.7 kg (6.05 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1071
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”): This jar is well made and very light for its size. Its design is also simple. The design has two bands (on the neck and body) of rain lines, clouds, and a filled orange continuous geometric stepped band, possibly a variation of a rainbow band. The middle band that separates the upper and lower bands has pathway triangles. The participants believe this jar is Acoma based on the design, more specifically the pathway band, which is indicative of Acoma.
This jar was compared to IAF. 51. Both jars have similar paint colors, handling of lines, and tall neck. However, it was concluded by the participants that these jars were most likely painted by different artists using similar colors and design concepts.
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.