Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1880-1895
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
25.4 x 29.2 cm (10 x 11 1/2 in.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of the Indian Art Education Fund, 1924.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.318
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksOctavius Seowtewa during collection review visit Nov. 16 and 17, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 3”): This jar has rainbird-based designs similar to the ones on IAF.229, but they are black in this case, rather than red. Also, the legs of the deer on both jars are painted in a similar manner.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Jim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit April 10 and 11, 2014 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 13”): The rim is slightly asymmetrical, with one side higher than the other. It is painted black and has some minor erosion, which is likely from its use as a water jar. There is a thin black line immediately below the rim. It is not possible to see if there was a line break because of the erosion around the rim. The neck design consists of a continuous bird wing design filled with rain line hatching and bird tails.
A thick double line with a line break on the shoulder of the jar separates the neck designs from the body designs. The body decoration consists of just one continuous design panel, with no vertical compartments. Six black deer with red heart lines are interspersed among black birds with crests and feathers. There are three red crests arranged around the bottom of the design panel.
The base is a solid dark brown with a concavity for carrying the jar on the head. The base shows some minor wear. There is a stripe of green paint or chalk inside the rim of the jar. There is a circular area of damage at one point on the neck, measuring approximately 1.5 cm diameter, that was probably caused by a piece of course temper popping out during firing. A similar, smaller spot is located near the line break of the line that separates the neck from the body designs. The letter “G” is written on the base, in the concavity.
In Collection(s)
Bibliography:
Pueblo Designs
- Pg. 49
- Fig. Plate XVI, 5
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.