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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: 1900-1920
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 22.9 × 29.2 cm (9 × 11 1/2 in.)
Weight: 1.4 kg (3.1 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1105
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit November 29-30, and December 1, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 7”): There is a lot of wear on the rim of this jar. It was likely used to carry water and is very light weight for its size. The black paint is very black and thick. The white slip is highly burnished. There are three panels of design with lightning (zigzags), rain lines (hatching), and clouds (black filled areas). The shape, size, and burnishing are very similar to IAF.1103. Both jars were purchased around the same time (see IAF Pottery Catalog #3), very close to each other which could imply they might have had the same seller/maker. There are no line breaks at the base and the rim is too eroded to see if any are present.
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.