Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1870-1880
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 24.2 × 29.2 cm (9 1/2 × 11 1/2 in.)
Weight: 1.7 kg (3.7 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia, Cibola, Bernalillo, and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1040
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit November 29-30, and December 1, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 7”): The participants believe this water jar is Acoma based on the clay and paints which appear to be traditional Acoma materials. The temper used in this clay is pottery sherds, which are what is used at Acoma. The wide orange band at the rim is a bit unusual but the rest of the design elements suggest Acoma origin to the participants. There is a break in the rim. There are line breaks in the double lines at the base.
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)
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.