Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1780-1800
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 22.9 × 29.2 cm (9 × 11 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2.3 kg (5 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1927.
Place Made:
Valencia, Cibola, Bernalillo, and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.797
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”): Though the shape of the jar is Acomita style, the designs reminded some of the participants of designs from Santa Ana Pueblo or Zuni Pueblo; they did not remind them of Acoma designs. They thought it resembled an upside down bird or bat. They suggested it might be good to show the jar to representatives from Zuni. There was some discussion of the substance used to repair a crack in the jar. The participants thought is could possibly be boiled-down bee weed, because it gets very thick and viscous when most of the water is evaporated from it.
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:
Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians, 1600-1800
- Pg. between 128 and 129
- Fig. Plate XXII
Matte-Paint Pottery of the Tewa, Keres and Zuni Pueblos
- Pg. 240 (text); 243 (photograph)
- Fig. Plate 27, e
The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo
- Pg. 109
- Fig. 5.14
Acoma and Laguna Pottery
- Pg. p. 16, 211
- Fig. 2.1
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.