Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: c. 1890
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 27.9 × 35.6 cm (11 × 14 in.)
Weight: 3.4 kg (7.6 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1924.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.181
Not on view
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 neck of this jar is slightly taller than normal, making the neck design band unusually wide. The rainbirds in the neck band are not evenly sized (some are longer than others). There is a line break in the line just beneath the rim, but not in the lines on the shoulder, just beneath the neck designs. The body designs are rainbirds filled with rain line hatching. The base is a solid brown color. The wear on the base appears natural. The jar has relatively thick walls and is heavy for its size.
It is known that Catalina Zuni used this particular rainbird motif. It may have been made by her. Mr. Enote and Mr. Seowtewa suggested that IARC check the date of the jar to see if it coincides with the period of time during which she was making pottery.
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.