Photograph by Peter Gabriel Studio. Copyright 2020-2021 Peter Gabriel Studio.
Water jar
Date: 1890-1910
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: H: 26.7 × Dia: 30.5 cm (H: 10 1/2 × Dia: 12 in.)
Weight: 2.1 kg (4.63 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1924.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.330
On view
at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit June 3-5, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 2”): The parrot design is still very much in use today and is typically seen with an orange and red rainbow band. This jar does not have the rainbow band in the design which may imply that the rainbow was incorporated in to the design in later years. The orange slip in the birds is polished more than normal. This pot was probably used to carry water. For water jars, the wear will show on the rim from the gourd hitting it and also the interior and exterior base.
Dolores stated the white slip becomes discolored over the years and is no longer as white as when the jar was first made. This happens naturally as the jar ages.
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)
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.