Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar
Date: c. 1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 23.5 × 34.3 cm, 3.8 kg (9 1/4 × 13 1/2 in., 8.35 lb.)
Weight: 3.8 kg (8.35 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of Kenneth M. Chapman, 1962.
Place Made:
McKinley County or Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.2918
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”): Though the catalog records list this piece as Zuni, Mr. Seowtewa agrees that it is most likely an Acoma jar. A group of Acoma elders that visited the collection in 2000 identified the design as Acoma. Mr. Seowtewa agreed with them. He said the shape of the rim is not typical of Zuni ceramics and that maybe an Acoma potter could explain why the rim is like this. Also, he identified bird and cloud designs on the jar, but said these are universal elements of most Pueblo pottery decorative traditions.
The word for a water jar in Zuni is “kwawishnakya,” which translates to “water container” in English. The intended use for these jars was to store and carry water, but they could also be used to store other items.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 22-24, 2018 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 11”): The participants believe this jar is likely Zuni with an Acoma design. The design incorporates both Acoma and Zuni features. The slips appear to be Acoma but the clay, which is a reddish brown color, does not. The interior rim is black which is more characteristic of Zuni pottery. There is a line break at the bottom.
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 jar 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.