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Canteen | Mehe'do

Date: c. 1900

Artist or Maker: Unknown

Dimensions:

Dimensions: 29.3 × 23.5 cm (11 9/16 × 9 1/4 in.)

Weight: 2 kg (4.34 lb.)

Medium: clay | paints

Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, for inclusion in the Mary Austin Memorial Collection, 1943.

Place Made:

Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America

Object Number: IAF.2197

Not on view

DescriptionPolychrome canteen with flat base, globular body, hollow handle with top opening. There are two Kolowisi painted along the entire length of the handle which are flanked by two snake-like forms. A rosette is painted on the top of the main body with four terraced projections below. Beneath each of these are lightning, raincloud, and rain symbols which are arranged within a serrated triangular format.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit April 6 and 7, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 1”): This is not a ceremonial canteen. Though it is classified on the catalog card as Pseudo-Ceremonial, it should no longer be classified this way because it was probably not made with the intention of making the item appear ceremonial. It was likely just made to look old. It is decorated with unusually exuberant cloud designs on the body and a snake figure on the handle. The snake is not a representation of the kolowisi because it has a rattle, which a kolowisi depiction would not have.

In Collection(s)

Zuni Collection

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.