Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1880 - 1890
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 25.4 × 34.3 cm (10 × 13 1/2 in.)
Weight: 3.1 kg (6.9 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.852
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit February 17 and 18, 2010 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 4”): The neck design and the central body design of this jar are very similar and are based on rainbirds. Above and below the central band of the body design are bands with predominantly red designs. While the form of the jar and the neck and central body design are typically Zuni, the two bands of red decoration are not. A note in the record by Rick Dillingham states that the design is a “Zia layout.” Though it is not clear from the note, the red decorative bands may have been his reason for making this statement. The base of the jar is very smooth and even, with little chipping, so it is possible that it was purposely sanded. Both the exterior and interior of the jar show other signs of antiquing, such as drips of slip running from the base in the direction of the rim. The jar was also shellacked, as evidenced by its high gloss and chips in the shellac on the neck (the whiter slip beneath the shellac is visible in the chipped areas). It appears likely that the jar was made for sale (not for personal, household, or ceremonial use in the community) and made to look older than it was.
The word for a water jar in Zuni is “k'yabokya de'ele,” which translates to “water container vessel” in English. The intended use for these jars was to store and carry water, but they could also be used to store other items..
In Collection(s)
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