Select Page

Collections

Collections Menu
Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research. Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Date: 1890-1910
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 24.1 × 29.2 cm (9 1/2 × 11 1/2 in.)
Weight: 1.9 kg (4.15 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints | leather | sinew
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1924.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.163
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma polychrome water jar, three-color; white slip with black painted decoration. The design consists of two main design motifs that repeat four times around the body of the jar. One motif is a nine-square checkerboard surrounded by a diamond-shaped band filled with hatching (rain lines). The other motif is a leaf or plant-like design that creates a diamond, also with crossing lines in its center. Connecting the motifs are arches with filled rectangles that are split. Red concave base and interior rim. The jar has narrow leather strips around it possible used for hanging it from vigas in a house. A crack in the vessel wall has been repaired with a substance that may be pitch.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the potter participants in the Acoma collection review visit April 22-24, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 1”): The black paint on this jar is a very deep dark black and has a sheen to it. It may have been made using the fruit of the wild banana plant (also known as mountain yucca) as a binder. The checkerboard design that appears on the shoulder of the jar has its origin in traditional Acoma stories that tell of the eyes of a deity or a mountain. This idea was incorporated into pottery designs as a checkerboard pattern. The design also includes leaf and floral motifs and rain lines. The main design motifs repeat four times around the jar, representing the four directions. The narrow strips of leather that are around the jar would have served for hanging the jar from vigas. The material is sinew.

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.