Historic Zuni Pueblo Nineteenth Century Pottery Canteen with Birds

The Pueblo Canteen: A Testament to Time, Tradition and Function

This exquisite piece of historic pottery, a canteen hailing from Zuni Pueblo, is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of its origin. Likely crafted in the 1880s, this canteen bears the marks of heavy use before it made its journey to the market. The exterior, covered in ethnographic wear from handling and use, has lost much of its original pigment. However, this loss has given way to a beautiful patina and a crackling effect on the clay slip, creating an appealing glow that is cherished by admirers of historic pottery. It's a rarity to encounter utilitarian pottery of this vintage in such intact condition.

The canteen features two handles and a spout, a common design for vessels of this type. The knob handles, flat-ended in design, were often used to attach a strip of leather. This formed a shoulder strap, allowing the canteen to be easily carried during work or travel. Interestingly, the ends of this leather strip can still be seen encircling the handles of this piece. The longer shoulder strap, however, was broken off at some point as the leather aged, adding another layer of history to this remarkable utilitarian vessel.

Painted designs appear on the exterior in a pattern that circles the top of the canteen. A Zuni rosette design sits at the top, with its center landing at the canteen's peak. "A very distinctive feature on vessels of Zuni Polychrome is the sunburst of flower petals in a circular configuration. These have been described as rosettes or sunflowers: Zuni potters told Ruth Bunzel in 1924 and 1925 that the designs were called ‘hepakinne'sunflower' or painting on Salimopiya (katsina) mask." [Lanmon & Harlow 2008:167]

Upon closer inspection, one can discern three distinct bird designs adorning the canteen. Each figure, unique in form and color, adds a layer of character to the piece. The base of the canteen is coated in a stark black paint, accentuated by an additional line encircling just above it. Despite the significant wear to these painted designs, a testament to its age and use, the visual appeal of the canteen remains undiminished. The surface, though abraded, exudes a rustic charm that enhances its aesthetic allure.

The birds depicted on the canteen are not mere silhouettes; they are rendered with elaborate wing and tail feathers, executed in vibrant polychrome pigments. This attention to detail breathes life into these avian figures, making them more than just decorative elements.

This canteen is a rare and captivating example of functional Zuni Pueblo pottery, a testament to the craftsmanship of its creators. Its design is reminiscent of the knob-handled canteens illustrated in Lanmon & Harlow (pp.350-51), all of which are dated between 1870-1880, further attesting to its historical significance.

Condition: wear from handling and use, no restoration or repair

Provenance: this Historic Zuni Pueblo Nineteenth Century Pottery Canteen with Birds is from a private Colorado collection

Recommended Reading: The Pottery of Zuni Pueblo by Lanmon and Harlow, 2008. Museum of New Mexico Press

TAGS: puki depression, pottery, Zuni Pueblo, old pottery