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View 1. Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

View 1.
Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2014 School for Advanced Research.

Water jar

Date: 1890-1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 26.7 × 30.5 cm (10 1/2 × 12 in.)
Weight: 2 kg (4.3 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1928.
Place Made:
Valencia County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1041
Not on view
DescriptionAcoma polychrome jar, white slipped with black, red, and orange painted decoration. The design is very busy and includes floral motifs, rain lines (hatching) orange a red triangles, orange bands, and black cloud motifs. The design can be broken down into three sections, the top which includes the floral motifs; the body which includes orange and red stepped motifs; and the lower which includes cloud imagery. Red underbody and interior rim, concave base.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Acoma collection review visit May 11-13, 2016 (Events Record “Collection Review: Acoma Pueblo Review 6”): The interior of this jar has an orange band painted in addition to the usual band painted on the interior rim. This may imply it was used for cultural purposes. The black paint on this jar is very black and is applied very thick.

SP are the initials of the seller – The participants suggested it could be Santiago Pasqual.


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.