Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Canteen | Mehe'do
Date: 1880-1890
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 15.2 × 15.2 × 16.5 cm (6 × 6 × 6 1/2 in.)
Weight: 0.8 kg (1.7 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1327
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit June 10 and 11, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 2”): This canteen is an old one. It is decorated with a flower in the center of the front, two deer, and two birds. It is unusual because it has a smaller second canteen mounted on the front of the larger canteen—a “piggy back” canteen. It appears to be decorative because its opening is only a slit and it would not be easy to fill with water. Mr. Enote and Mr. Seowtewa said they have not seen a “piggy back” canteen like this before. Canteens were usually items for daily use, used to carry water and keep it cool. They were occasionally used to transport water from sacred springs. There is no way to differentiate a canteen that might have been used for ceremonial purposes.
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.