Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Wedding vase | Double necked jar
Date: 1920-1930
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 26.7 × 20.3 cm (10 1/2 × 8 in.)
Weight: 1.2 kg (2.7 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.1057
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 17-19, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 5”): This is double necked jar with a handle more commonly referred to as a wedding vase today. There was a piece of corn husk inside which is likely left from the corn husk stoppers that plugged the openings (removed and bagged by Lisa). The design includes a double headed thunder bird or possibly two thunderbirds sitting next to each other. The thunderbird is a mythical being in the Acoma culture. The black paint on this vase is not as dark and now appears as more of a brown tone. This could be because there may have not been enough spinach in the black paint mixture and the pigment was lost over the years. The white slip, which has aged, is well burnished. There are no pathway breaks on this vase.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Vases likely came into production as a tourist trade item. The vase form may be an influence from other cultures. Vases are still being made and used today at Acoma 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.