Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Water jar | K'yabokya de'ele
Date: 1890 - 1900
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 31.8 × 39.4 cm (12 1/2 × 15 1/2 in.)
Weight: 2.8 kg (6.2 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.982
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”): Though this jar was purchased at Acoma (by Kenneth Chapman), it is Zuni in form and design. The neck designs have Zuni four-sided stars at their centers, but their outer borders were possibly influenced by Spanish decorative art designs. The body designs consist of rainbirds, clouds, and feathers. There is a very long crack that runs from the rim, where a large piece is broken and missing, almost to the beginning of the underbody. It was repaired with what may have been clay underneath, covered with pitch. Upon close inspection, it also appears there may be some fibers mixed into the pitch. The substance fluoresced a greenish yellow under a black light. Mr. Seowtewa and Mr. Enote would both like for this to be researched if that becomes possible in the future.
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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