Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1885 - 1895
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 25.4 × 34.3 cm (10 × 13 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2.7 kg (5.95 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.949
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”): The body designs of this jar are unusual because the first decorative band is of anatomically-correct bucks (this detail is not usually included on bucks) and the second decorative band is of randomly interspersed rainbird elements and portions of house arches (like the houses that frame each buck in the upper band). The base of the jar is very small and probably would not fit on a person’s head for carrying. Given that the jar was purchased from the Ilfeld Trading Company in 1928, it is possible that the piece was commissioned or antiqued to make it appear older than it really was.
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:
Pueblo Designs
- Pg. 49
- Fig. Plate XVI, 1
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.