Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Cornmeal bowl, non-consecrated ceremonial
Date: before 1927
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 10 × 21.5 cm (3 15/16 × 8 7/16 in.)
Weight: 0.5 kg (1.2 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Credit Line: Indian Arts Fund purchase for the permanent collection, 1927.
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.704
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 is a cornmeal bowl that was made such that it could be used in ceremony, but never was (it shows no physical indications of having been used). It was likely sold after it was made. Though it is classified on the catalog card as Pseudo-Ceremonial, it should no longer be classified this way because it is an item that would be appropriate for use in ceremony. Since it was never used in a ceremonial context, and therefore not consecrated, it can be referred to as a “non-consecrated ceremonial” item. The six cloud step terraces on the rim represent the six directions. The bowl appears to have been antiqued by scraping the surface of the interior and rubbing it with iron oxide and/or ochre. It is okay for research and publication (photos and text references) and has no special handling or storage requirements.
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.