Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2010 School for Advanced Research.
Washing bowl
Date: before 1929
Artist or Maker: Unknown
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 11 × 37.5 cm (4 5/16 × 14 3/4 in.)
Weight: 2.2 kg (4.85 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints
Place Made:
Zuni Pueblo, McKinley County, New Mexico, Southwest, United States, North America
Object Number: IAF.1251
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 ceremonial bowl. Though it is classified on the catalog card as Pseudo-Ceremonial, it should no longer be classified this way because it is an actual ceremonial bowl that would have been used for ceremonial washing. The note in the IAF catalog states that soapweed suds are used in the ceremony, but this is incorrect; yucca root suds are used. Though it may have been used for ceremonial washing, 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. Other examples of washing bowls include IAF.831, IAF.832, and IAF.1250. 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.