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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.
Canteen
Date: 1890-1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 26.7 cm (10 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2 kg (4.35 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of Kenneth M. Chapman, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1049
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 17-19, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 5”): The spout on this canteen is unusually short, shorter than ones made today. The base is concave, implying the base “puki” used to build it was one that would’ve have been used to start a water jar. Normally bases or “pukis” that are flat are used to build canteens to avoid having the concave base. There is no pathway break on this canteen.
According to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit February 26-27, 2019 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 12”): Canteens are still being produced and used at Acoma today, in both traditional natural and commercial materials. There are several methods for constructing a canteen. One way is to make the canteen as a whole piece. Another method it to make two pieces and then join them, making a canteen. Another way is to build the majority of the body and later add on the top piece, which will include the spout. Some potters will inflate the canteen to expand its shape by blowing into it like a balloon. Flatter canteens are also referred to as flasks. Corn cobs or rolled corn husks were sometimes used to plug the spout.
The handles are usually added later before the main piece begins to dry. Handles are also made in a variety of styles including loops, braided or twisted loops, knobs, and bird heads.
Older canteens tend to have a more elaborate, all over design which extends onto the sides and handles. More recent canteens are designed on the front only and sometimes on the handles. The base of canteens, like water jars are slipped orange or red.
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.