Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Stew bowl | Wolaya sa'leh
Date: before 1925
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 16 × 37 cm (6 5/16 × 14 9/16 in.)
Weight: 2.5 kg (5.6 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Cassidy, 1925.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.352
Not on view
Tribal Collection Review RemarksJim Enote and Octavius Seowtewa during collection review visit April 6 and 7, 2009 (Events Record “Collection Review: Zuni Tribe, Review 1”): This may be a ceremonial bowl. Though it is classified on the catalog card as Pseudo-Ceremonial, it should no longer be classified this way because it probably was made as an actual ceremonial bowl. It is the right form and size for using to take stew to the kiva. (There is also a note in the IAF Catalog that says "Said to have been used in Shalako ceremony." This likely means it may have been used to take stew to the house of one of the eight Shalako dance participants, which isn't really a ceremony.) It is ceremonial in the sense that it may have served the purpose of holding stew as it was taken to the kiva, which is a ceremonial act. Though it may have been used in this ceremonial manner, it was not a ceremony that would have imbued the bowl with a level of sacredness such that it must be kept from the general public. This type of bowl could also be used in washing ceremonies (though there is no evidence that this particular one was). Other examples of washing bowls include IAF.831, IAF.832, IAF.1250, and IAF.1251. It is okay for photography and publication and has no special storage or handling restrictions.
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.