Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1880-1890
Attributed to: Pablita (Wanya) Sarracino
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 27.9 × 36.8 cm (11 × 14 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2.1 kg (4.7 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1931.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1573
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit April 3-5, 2018 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 10”): Pablita’s maiden name is Wanya and her married name is Sarracino. The design on this jar may be an older style of the parrot design. Typically today parrots are painted with a rainbow band that is a bold solid band of orange and red, sometimes with a geometric motif repeated between the colors. This jar has connected diamond motifs which could be a variation of the rainbow band. The parrots on this jar have no feet and the crest feathers go over the beak. The interior rim of the jar has water damage likely from being used for storing water. There are line breaks at the lower framing lines.
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 Pottery of Acoma Pueblo
- Pg. 238
- Fig. 14.5
"Goal at the End of the Trail: Santa Fe"
- Pg. 341
- Fig. N/A
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.