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

Canteen

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

Canteen

Date: 1900-1910
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 8.9 × 16.5 × 12.7 cm (3 1/2 × 6 1/2 × 5 in.)
Weight: 0.3 kg (0.7 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1055
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma polychrome canteen; three-color; white slip with black and red painted decoration. The design consists of a central square with orange triangles creating a cross or “X” in the negative space. A bold black circle encapsulates the central design with hatching (rain lines) filled triangles on each side of the central square. Rain lines extends form the central motif outward to the appendages. Five appendages protrude around periphery, red underbody and base, two handles. Unusual form with five hollow "fingers," two loop handles, and spout.
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”): There are no line breaks on this canteen. It is a very unique shape. The participants believe it may be a turtle or some type of animal effigy and could have had a cap. Nothing more was said about this canteen.

According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Canteens are still being produced and used at Acoma today, in both traditional natural and commercial materials. There are several methods for constructing a canteen. One way is to make the canteen as a whole piece. Another method it to make two pieces and then join them, making a canteen. Another way is to build the majority of the body and later add on the top piece, which will include the spout. Some potters will inflate the canteen to expand its shape by blowing into it like a balloon. Flatter canteens are also referred to as flasks. Corn cobs or rolled corn husks were sometimes used to plug the spout.

The handles are usually added later before the main piece begins to dry. Handles are also made in a variety of styles including loops, braided or twisted loops, knobs, and bird heads.

Older canteens tend to have a more elaborate, all over design which extends onto the sides and handles. More recent canteens are designed on the front only and sometimes on the handles. The base of canteens, like water jars are slipped orange or red.
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.