Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1910 - 1915
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
25.4 x 30.5 cm (10 x 12 in.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of the Ilfeld Trading Company, 1928.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.835
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 17 and 18, 2010 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 4”): The neck band is decorated with moth motifs. The body designs are of rainbirds, though they are not connected. The jar shows an unconventional use of space because there is far more white background visible than usual, and the design elements are not connected, giving the impression of design motifs floating in space. The base of the jar is heavily and very evenly worn, though the paint on the rest of the underbody is nearly pristine. The rim of the jar is similar in that it also shows signs of moderate wear, though the paint on the neck immediately below the worn areas is in very good condition. It appears the jar was made for sale (not for personal, household, or ceremonial use in the community) and antiqued on the base and rim.
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)
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