Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1875 - 1885
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 21.6 × 29.2 cm (8 1/2 × 11 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2.7 kg (5.95 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1923.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.2
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2011 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 7”): The rim of this jar is flared such that a cover could have been tied over the top of the jar. The rim is painted black and the paint extends approximately 1.5 inches into the interior. There are two border lines, with no line break, immediately below the rim. The neck design is complex and has two pairs of designs. One of the designs is a four-sided star incorporating bird elements, including tails, and rain lines. The other design is a pair of stepped clouds with red rain lines and black dots representing planting holes/seeds/hail. The neck and body are separated by two thick lines with a line break. The body is decorated with two pairs of panels. The two wider panels are divided into three horizontal bands. The top bands contain three stepped clouds filled with red rain lines and black holes/seeds/hail dots, flanked on either side by two small, black bird designs. Below the top band is a narrow band that is different on the two sides of the jar. On one side it contains a row of black four-sided stars. On the other side it is a band of red water waves. Beneath the narrow band is a band of stepped clouds, similar to the ones in the top band, except the cloud design is continuous instead of divided into three. The other two panels are narrower and are arranged vertically. They each contain a four-sided star with birds and tail feathers and rain lines. A single border line separates the body from the base. The base is a solid dark brown and has normal wear. The walls of this jar are very thick, especially at the shoulders, making it quite heavy. There is some efflorescence visible on the interior surface. The jar is slightly lopsided and unstable. It has a concave base.
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)
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.