jar, unrecorded A:shiwi artist

Traditionally, women of the Zuñi Pueblo in New Mexico made jars like this for functional and ceremonial use. Food is an essential part of Pueblo ceremonies, and decorated jars would be used to store food and water. This jar was made using a coil technique, which involves the layering of clay coils around the base of the vessel. Bands of ropes of clay are laid on top of each other and pinched to give the object a shape and structure. Afterwards, the pitcher is smoothed and shaped with gourds called before being decorated and fired. Zuñi pottery is decorated primarily with black and red paints and includes animal images and geometric patterns. This jar has a dark brown bottom and an off-white background. A wide orange zigzagging snake curves around the neck. The body of the jar is decorated with a fierce looking four-legged animal, with large teeth and spiked fur. An orange line, identified as a “heartline,” connects the animal’s mouth and heart. This line represents the animal’s life force.