Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: c. 1895
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
25.4 x 33 cm (10 x 13 in.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of Mary E. Dissette, 1924.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.126
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksOctavius Seowtewa during collection review visit Nov. 16 and 17, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 3”): This jar shows almost no wear, on either the rim or the base, and was almost certainly not used prior to sale. The deer and fawns appear to float on the jar’s surface, and the typical arched housing for the deer has been reduced to the red scrolls that separate the deer. The “deer” may be meant to represent elk in this case, because they have antlers with many branches, similar to an elk. There are also spotted fawns present, underneath the deer. Fawns are somewhat unusual motifs on Zuni jars.
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:
The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo
- Pg. 427
- Fig. 32.2
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.