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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Date: c. 1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 29.2 × 33 cm (11 1/2 × 13 in.)
Weight: 2.8 kg (6.25 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of the Estate of Amelia Elizabeth White, 1974.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: SAR.1978-1-150
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma polychrome water jar; four-color; white slip with black, red, and orange painted decoration. The design consists of a neck band and a body band. The neck band has repeating panels of hatched and orange filled triangles with steps on one side and inner open triangles. The body band consists of square motifs with an inner circle filled with dots and orange curved motifs. Surrounding the square motifs are lobe shaped motifs and checkerboard motifs. Orange concave base and interior rim.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 22-24, 2018 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 11”): The design on this jar could be representative of fertility or new life. The interior of this jar is slipped white. There is no line break. Nothing more was said about this jar.

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.