Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2015 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: c. 1890
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 28 × 28 cm (11 × 11 in.)
Weight: 2.3 kg (5.05 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Bequest of James Richard (Rick) Dillingham, II; received at IARC in 1994.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.1994-4-562
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 11-13, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 6”): The floral motifs on this jar are similar to ones on IAF.931, IAF.328 and SAR.1994-4-552. The shapes of the jars are not similar but the design similarity could imply that these pots were painted by the same artist or that the design was popular at the time. The base or “puki” used to build this pot was likely a basket. The interior is painted white. There is a line break in the lower of the two bottom 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)
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.