Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1890-1910
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 29.2 × 30.5 cm (11 1/2 × 12 in.)
Weight: 2.7 kg (5.9 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of H.P. Mera, 1923.
Place Made:
Valencia, Cibola, Bernalillo, and Sandoval Counties, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.51
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit April 22-24, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 1”): This jar has two bands of repeating designs in four panels on the neck and six panels on the body separated by a thick orange line or band in the middle. In the panels are rain lines (hachuring), sun (orange filled triangles), mountains with eyes (some dotted), and clouds (filled black triangles). The panels are separated by a vertical zigzagged lightning design. The design is very detailed and most of the space is filled. The participants believe this jar is Acoma because of specific design features such as the dots around the eyes and the lightning design which are indicative of Acoma.
This jar was compared to IAF.1071. Both jars have very similar paint colors, handling of rain lines, and similar tall neck. However, it was probably different artists using similar colors and design concepts.
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)
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.