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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research. Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.
Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2011 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Date: c. 1920
Attributed to: Carrie Poncho (1891 - 1993)
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 25.4 × 30.5 cm (10 × 12 in.)
Weight: 2.4 kg (5.2 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of Kenneth M. Chapman, 1925.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.420
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma polychrome water jar; four-color, white slip with black, red, and orange geometric designs. The design has hour panels of red and rain line filled triangles with a diamond motif surrounded by clouds in the middle. The diamond motif has cross hatching (which could representative of snow) and corn fields. The exterior of the panels are surrounded by rain lines. Red underbody, concave base. Unusual water-jar form with high shoulder, flat upperbody, and short neck. May originally have been a tall-necked jar that was broken and subsequently modified into a water jar-like form.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit June 3-5, 2015 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo, Review 2”): The base of this jar is heavy, which is typical of a vase (tall necked) form which aids in the overall balance of the pot. The cross hatching around the checkered cornfield motif may be representative of snow fall or a drizzle.

It may be possible that this jar is older than its current proposed date. The jar appears to have been heavily used with wear on the exterior slips and rim.

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 jars 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)
Bibliography:
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.