Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1850-1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
31.8 × 35.6 cm (12 1/2 × 14 in.)
Weight: 3.5 kg (7.75 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1927.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.680
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 is off-center and would likely not have been useful for storage because it would be prone to tipping over. It also has a very prominent lip around the base from the puki. The vertical designs resembling Victorian curtain swags, located between the stepped “houses” over the birds, are quite unusual. The two vertical design bars that are located on either side of the jar are also unusual. The jar is certainly a Zuni-made piece, but with some unique design elements.
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. 153
- Fig. 8.13c
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.