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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele

Date: c. 1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 19.1 × 27.9 cm (7 1/2 × 11 in.)
Weight: 2.1 kg (4.7 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.953
Not on view
DescriptionWhite slip with black and red painted decoration; decorated band on neck with repeating units. Continuous geometric motifs on body; dark underbody; concave base.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 17 and 18, 2010 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 4”): The jar has a Zuni water jar form, but the base is too flat to balance on the head for carrying. The designs appear to have been painted quickly, which is especially noticeable in the rain line hatching. The stepped cloud diamond-shaped “houses” or framing elements in the body design are similar to those found on IAF.1359 and SAR.1978-1-144 (seen during Review 3). There is a prominent lip around the base from the puki (base start). The bottom is sanded down. The piece was most likely made for sale (not for personal, household, or ceremonial use in the community).

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.