Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1870-1880
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 27.9 × 36.9 cm (11 × 14 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2.9 kg (6.35 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1923.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.8
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 design includes feathers with rain hatching, clouds, and four-sided stars. The body design contains rainbird-based designs, two large floral medallions (often referred to as “rosettes”), and a narrow band of wave-like motifs (which can also be interpreted as whirl pools or water eddies). The two vertical design fields on the body of the jar contain a zoomorphic figure with wings. Mr. Enote explained that his grandmother painted this same design and she told him it was an animal figure, but he does not remember which one. The wear on the base appears natural.
The jar was possibly painted by the same artist as IAF.124. Both jars have very similar designs.
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)
Bibliography:
The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo
- Pg. 150; 153
- Fig. 8.11a; 8.12a
Pueblo Designs
- Pg. 43
- Fig. Plate XIII, 1
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.