Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Seed jar
Date: 1920-1930
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 17.8 × 26.7 cm (7 × 10 1/2 in.)
Weight: 1.5 kg (3.3 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of Mary Cabot Wheelwright, 1937.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.2049
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 22-24, 2018 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 11”: The interior of this jar is gray in color, which could be a result of not being cooked all the way through in the firing process. Low firing temperatures can affect the paint sticking to the jar, which seems to be the case with some of the fine lines in the design on this jar.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Seed jars are used for storing items like seeds, vegetables, and fruits, or smaller items such as beans, plants and pine nuts. They were often sealed to preserve what they were storing. Seed jar forms are still being made and used today at Acoma. They are characterized by having a flatter shoulder area coming to a circular opening at the center. Like all forms being produced today, they are produced and painted with both traditional natural and commercial materials. Older seed jar forms tend to have a lower half that looks similar to a water jar or bowl shape. More recent seed jar forms tend to be spherical or saucer-like in shape and medium to small in size.
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.