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Illinois Wesleyan University John Wesley Powell Collection of Pueblo Pottery (Illinois Wesleyan University)
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JAR (Olla)
JAR (Olla)
TitleJAR (Olla)
Case Location0001
Cultural AffiliationZuni
Date of Manufactureca. 1860-1870
Description
The painted motifs on this water jar represent similar concepts to those on artifact number 74 but are somewhat less complex in the number of different elements. The top band of decoration is t'sipopa kyatsotanne (stripes with points) that represents timuci (thunder knife), a knife used by priests in many ceremonies. This jar does not have the interspersed design elements found on 74.

Beneath this are two bands, each with several na'lan k'yakwenne (deer's house) motifs with the deer on black ground. Black ground symbolizes the damp earth where women want to plant their gardens. Deer images are often used in the hope that they will bring success in hunting. Between the two bands of deer is a band of wotsanawe (water birds, perhaps ducks). The Zuni say that they like to paint water birds on water jars in the hope that the birds' presence will ensure the water jars will never be empty. The meaning of the two large vertical motifs is unclear. They may be a variant of the rain bird motif or a highly individualized example of the nanna elaye (grandfather standing) motif, this latter representing a prayer for long life.
DescriptorsJAR
Height32.0 cm (approx)
Diameter39.7 cm x 39.8 cm
Type.DigitalImage
RightsIllinois Wesleyan University retains the rights to this material. Permission to reproduce these images must be granted by IWU. Contact archives@titan.iwu.edu or 309-556-1535 for more information.
Collection NameJohn Wesley Powell Collection of Pueblo Pottery (Illinois Wesleyan University)
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