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

Bowl

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

Bowl

Date: before 1929
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 12.7 × 22 cm (5 × 8 11/16 in.)
Weight: 0.7 kg (1.5 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1247
Not on view
DescriptionBlack on white terraced bowl with four double outlined terraces. The interior is decorated with spotted frog on the bottom which is encircled by four tadpoles. An insect or bird-like creature with drooping wings is suspended upside down within each terrace. Each exterior terrace contains a similar creature in an upright position with outstreached spotted wings.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit April 6 and 7, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 1”): This bowl was made to resemble a medicine water bowl, but it is not really ceremonial. A bowl of this type would not normally have such a prominent hip and everted step cloud terraces. Also, the birds depicted in the step clouds are upside down. Upside down animals would not appear on an actual ceremonial bowl because it is taboo to put animals upside down on them; they should be depicted in an upright position. Also the tadpoles are not painted in a typical Zuni style; they have open mouths and large eyes, almost like a whale.This bowl should remain classified as pseudo-ceremonial because it was made to resemble a ceremonial bowl, though it is not one. It is alright to use this piece in publications, as long as it is made clear it is not actually ceremonial.
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.