Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2015 School for Advanced Research.
Wedding vase, miniature
Date: 1980s
Artist or Maker: Mary Ann Hampton
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 8.2 × 5 cm (3 1/4 × 1 15/16 in.)
Weight: 59.82 g (2.11 oz.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Bequest of James Richard (Rick) Dillingham, II; received at IARC in 1994.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.1994-4-579
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 11-13, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 6”): The materials used to make and design this piece are all natural Acoma materials except for the black paint, which may be commercial. The participants are not sure if the black paint is natural or not as it is difficult to tell on this piece due to the intensity of the black color. The design is a variation of a Thunderbird motif.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Vases likely came into production as a tourist trade item. The vase form may be an influence from other cultures. Vases are still being made and used today at Acoma in both traditional natural and commercial materials.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Miniatures came into production primarily as a tourist trade item. With the arrival of modern transportation, such as the train and automobiles, potters began to create smaller pieces that appealed to tourists and were more manageable to travel with, were easy to make, and sold well.
As miniatures have less space for decoration, they often have simple designs. Beginner potters will often start by creating these types of simply designed miniatures. There are potters that create miniatures with very intricate, detailed designs which show their skill level as an artist, as it requires more patience and steady hands.
With the introduction of commercial products beginning in the 1970s, miniatures, like all forms, were also made with commercial clays (either handmade or cast slip). Today at Acoma, potters of all skill levels still make and paint miniatures using both traditional natural materials and commercial materials.
In Collection(s)
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.