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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.

Jar

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.

Jar

Date: before 1929
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 33 × 29 cm (13 × 11 7/16 in.)
Weight: 2.6 kg (5.7 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1281
Not on view
DescriptionBlack on orange double jar with globular lower portion and upper portion shaped as a bird effigy. Solidly painted tip of effigy "tail" terminates in tail feathers. Opposite side decorated with scallop-bordered diamond. The lower portion is divided into six panels decorated by curved triangles variously embellished with scallop motifs, open dots, "S" curves, and curvilinear hooks.
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 jar. It should remain classified as pseudo-ceremonial because it was apparently sold as a ceremonial jar, though it is not one. Though a note in the IAF catalog entry for this jar indicates that it was used in the “Heart of the World Altar,” (along with IAF.981, IAF.1276, IAF.1277, IAF.1282, and IAF.1283), this is extremely unlikely. There is a Heart of the World at Zuni, but currently there are only two people at Zuni who know what it consists of. This piece is okay for research and publication as long as it is made clear that it is not ceremonial.
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.