Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: c. 1875
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 21.6 × 33 cm (8 1/2 × 13 in.)
Weight: 2.5 kg (5.6 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1927.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.684
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 17 and 18, 2010 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 4”): The rim of this jar has a lip with some wear around it, so it may have been used for storage with a cover tied on top. The design around the shoulder, with its ticking marks, is an old one. The motifs on the neck of the jar are old, as well. The lower third of the jar is painted an ochre color with black lines representing stepped cloud designs. The cloud designs appear to have been painted quickly. The design motifs may be taken from Kechipawan ceramics found in and around Hawikuh. (The Zuni spelling of Kechipawa is Kechibawa. It is derived from the Zuni word "kechiba," which means "gypsum" in English.) This is mostly likely a recent jar decorated with old-looking designs, rather than a jar of much earlier date (1740-1760 or the 1800s), as suggested by some previous researchers.
The word for a water jar in Zuni is “k'yabokya de'ele,” which translates to “water container vessel” in English. The intended use for these jars was to store and carry water, but they could also be used to store other items.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
Historic Pottery of the Pueblo Indians, 1600-1800
- Pg. between 128 and 129
- Fig. Plate XXVII
Matte-Paint Pottery of the Tewa, Keres and Zuni Pueblos
- Pg. 260 (text); 261 (photograph)
- Fig. Plate 32, b
The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo
- Pg. 292
- Fig. 20.7
"Pueblo Pottery: 2000 Years of Artistry"
- Pg. 596
- Fig. N/A
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.