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

Water jar

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

Water jar

Date: 1890-1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 24.2 × 25.4 cm (9 1/2 × 10 in.)
Weight: 1.4 kg (3 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.686
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma or Laguna polychrome; four-color; white slip with black, red, and orange painted decoration. The design on the neck has six repeated panels of split black triangles and one red with double dots at the end. The body has seven repeated panels of orange split triangles and triangles with hatching. An orange band separates the neck and body design areas. The bottom of the jar and the neck interior are orange.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 17-19, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 5”): The neck of this jar has six panels of designs and the body has seven panels. The shape of the jar looks similar to that of one made by a beginner potter in that it is very round with a less defined shoulder. The participants believe this jar is Acoma based on the design. There are no pathway breaks on this jar.

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.