Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1880-1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 27.9 × 33 cm (11 × 13 in.)
Weight: 2.1 kg (4.7 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1924.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.328
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit June 3-5, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 2”): This jar has pottery sherd temper which can be seen in the center of the pits. There is a large crack at the shoulder of the jar which was repaired with sap (a traditional method). There is black speckling visible on areas in the white slip (more on one side of the jar) and in the interior. This may have been caused by an impurity in the clay. The design panels are evenly spaced and sized. The design has two bands of plant and floral motifs separated by a band of pathways. The particpants agree this jar was used as a water jar.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 11-13, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 6”): This jar was heavily used as a water jar. The participants believe that this jar may have been made by the same artist as SAR.1994-4-552.
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.