Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.
Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1925-1926
Artist or Maker: Mary Histia (1881 - 1973)
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 26.7 × 33 cm (10 1/2 × 13 in.)
Weight: 1.8 kg (3.95 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1926.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.655
Not on view
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 design on this jar is also referred to as a Tularosa Swirl by most Acoma potters and is a common design today. It symbolizes the journey of life and can also be interpreted as a migration design. The steps in the design can represent the places a person may go or may have been. The black paint used on this jar is very dark which means the quality and color of the black paint rock was very good – a type of iron rock. A flower-like design can be seen when viewed from above (straight on) and when like straight at the bottom. The pot in whole could be a migration pot.
*There is pitting on the surface of this pot, which can be caused by calcium carbonate, an impurity in the clay. It is sometimes called lime popping.
*This could potentially have been made by Mary Histia. The participants mentioned her designs are that are of round patterns or a black style. She was also known to use this Tularosa swirl design often.
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:
Acoma and Laguna Pottery
- Pg. 106, 225
- Fig. 5.19
The Pottery of Acoma Pueblo
- Pg. 376
- Fig. 24.19
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.