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[Transcriber's Note:
Punctuation in catalog entries has been silently regularized. Other
errors are noted at the end of the text.
Letters that could not be displayed in 7-bit ASCII have been "unpacked"
and shown between brackets:
[-a] [-E] [-e] [-I] [-o] [-u] vowel with macron
[)e] [)i] [)o] vowel with breve
[ae] a with umlaut
' accented syllable
Simplified names:
Zuni, Canon (tilde omitted)
Santa Fe (accent on "e" omitted)
Figures with captions in CAPITALS were printed in color.]
* * * * *
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION--BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE
OF THE
COLLECTIONS OBTAINED FROM THE INDIANS
OF
NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA IN 1879.
BY
JAMES STEVENSON.
* * * * *
NOTE.
The following catalogue of the collections made during 1879 was prepared
for the First Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology, but owing to
want of space was not included in that volume. Before the necessity of
this action was made apparent the matter had been stereotyped and it was
impossible to change the figure numbers, etc. This will explain the
seeming irregularity in the numbering of the figures--the first one of
this paper following the last one of the above-mentioned report. The
second catalogue, that of the collection of 1880, also included in this
volume, has been made to correspond with the first, the figure numbers
following in regular order.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
WASHINGTON, _January 3, 1881_.
SIR: I have the honor to submit herewith an illustrated catalogue
exhibiting in part the results of the ethnologic and archaeologic
explorations made under your direction in New Mexico and Arizona during
the summer of 1879.
As you are already familiar with the mode of travel and the labor
necessary in making such investigations and explorations, as well as the
incidents common to such undertakings, and as I do not consider them of
any special interest or value to the catalogue, I have omitted such
details.
I beg, however, in this connection, to refer to the services of Messrs.
F. H. Cushing, ethnologist of the Smithsonian Institution, and J. K.
Hillers, photographic artist of the Bureau of Ethnology, both of whom
accompanied me on the expedition.
Mr. Cushing's duties were performed with intelligence and zeal
throughout. After the field-work of the season was completed he remained
with the Indians for the purpose of studying the habits, customs,
manners, political and religious organizations, and language of the
people; also to explore the ancient caves of that region. His inquiries
will prove of the utmost interest and importance to science. Mr. Hillers
labored with equal zeal and energy. His work is of the greatest value in
illustrating some of the most interesting features of our
investigations. He made a large series of negatives depicting nearly
every feature of the Pueblo villages and their inhabitants. The beauty
and perfection of the photographs themselves fully attest the value and
importance of his work.
I would extend most cordial thanks to General Sherman for the special
interest he manifested in our work, and for directions given by him to
the officers of the Army serving in the West to assist us in carrying
out the objects of the expedition; and to the officers who so cordially
rendered such aid.
To General Edward Hatch, commanding the district of New Mexico, we are
indebted for valuable information and material assistance, which were
liberally granted, and to which in great part our success was due. The
party also received valuable aid from Gen. George P. Buell, U.S.A., who
was in command at Fort Wingate during our work at Zuni, for which I am
pleased to extend thanks. The large number and variety of objects
collected by the members of the expedition, and the many difficulties
incident to such undertakings, as well as the limited time devoted to
the preparation of the catalogue, will account for any imperfections it
may contain.
Hoping, however, that, notwithstanding these, it may serve useful ends
in the continuation of such work,
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES STEVENSON.
Prof. J. W. POWELL,
_Director Bureau of Ethnology_.
CONTENTS.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 311
INTRODUCTION 319
Articles of stone 320
Articles of clay 322
Vegetal substances 334
Collection from Zuni 337
Articles of stone 337
Axes, hammers, and mauls 337
Metates, or grain-grinders, and pestles 340
Mortars, pestles, etc 340
Miscellaneous objects 342
Articles of clay 343
Water vases 343
Water jugs and jars 347
Jugs of fanciful forms 349
Pitchers 349
Cups or cup-shaped vessels 350
Eating bowls 350
Cooking vessels 358
Ladles 360
Baskets 360
Paint cups 362
Condiment cups 363
Effigies 364
Statuettes 366
Clays and pigments 367
Vegetal substances 368
Basketry 368
Pads 369
Domestic implements, toys, etc 370
Foods 372
Medicines and dyes 372
Animal substances 373
Horn and bone 373
Skin 373
Woven fabrics 373
Collection from Wolpi 375
Articles of stone 375
Axes, hammers, etc 375
Metates, or grain-grinders, and pestles 376
Mortars, pestles, etc 377
Miscellaneous objects 377
Articles of clay 378
Water vases 378
Water jugs and jars 379
Toy-like water vessels 381
Cups 382
Eating bowls 382
Cooking vessels 385
Toy-like vessels 385
Ladles 385
Miscellaneous 387
Statuettes 387
Vegetal substances 389
Basketry 389
Domestic implements, toys, etc 391
Ornamental objects 393
Statuettes 395
Animal substances 396
Horn and bone 396
Skin 397
Woven fabrics 398
Collection from Laguna 399
Articles of clay 399
Water vases 399
Water jugs and jars 401
Pitchers 401
Effigies 402
Eating bowls 403
Collection from Acoma 404
Articles of clay 404
Water vases 404
Pitchers 405
Eating bowls 405
Collection from Cochiti 405
Articles of clay 405
Water vessels 405
Eating bowls 408
Ornaments, effigies, and toys 408
Collection from Santo Domingo 409
Articles of Clay 409
Water vessels 409
Collection from Tesuke 410
Articles of stone 410
Metates, mortars, etc 410
Articles of clay 410
Water vases 410
Water jugs and jars 413
Pitchers 413
Eating bowls 413
Cooking vessels 414
Toys 414
Vegetal substances 414
Medicines 414
Collection from Santa Clara 415
Articles of clay 415
Water vases 415
Eating bowls 415
Cooking vessels 416
Effigies 416
Collection from San Juan 416
Articles of clay 416
Eating bowls 416
Collection from Jemez 417
Articles of clay 417
Collection from the Jicarilla Apaches 417
Articles of clay 417
Collection from Old Pecos 418
Articles of stone 418
Articles of clay 418
Articles of wood 419
Collection from the Canon de Chelly 419
Articles of clay 419
Water vessels 419
Bowls 420
Cooking vessels 420
Collection from Pictograph Rocks 420
Articles of clay 420
Collection from other localities 421
Articles of clay 421
Miscellaneous 421
Statuettes 421
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
Figs. 347-352. Zuni grooved axes 338
Fig. 353. Zuni mortar and pestle 340
Fig. 354. Zuni crucible 340
Fig. 355. Zuni skinning-knife 340
Fig. 356. Zuni sandstone mold 340
Fig. 357. Zuni spear-head 340
Fig. 358. Zuni mortar and pestle 340
Figs. 359-360. Zuni water vases 342
Figs. 361-362. Zuni water vases 343
Figs. 363-364. Zuni water vases 344
Figs. 365-366. Zuni water vases 344
Figs. 367-368. Zuni water vases 344
Figs. 369-370. Zuni water vases 344
Figs. 371-372. Zuni water vases 345
Figs. 373-374. Zuni water vases 345
Figs. 375-378. Zuni water vases 346
Fig. 379. Zuni canteen 347
Fig. 380. Zuni eating bowl 347
Fig. 381. Zuni water vase 347
Fig. 382. Zuni eating bowl 347
Figs. 383-384. Zuni water vases 347
Figs. 385-387. Zuni canteens 348
Figs. 388-391. Zuni canteens 348
Figs. 392-394. Zuni canteens 349
Figs. 395-397. Zuni canteens 349
Fig. 398. Zuni canteen 350
Fig. 399. Zuni water vase 350
Fig. 400. Zuni canteen 350
Fig. 401. Zuni eating bowl 350
Fig. 402. Zuni canteen 350
Figs. 403-406. Zuni water pitchers 350
Fig. 407. Zuni water pitcher 350
Figs. 408-409. Zuni cups 350
Figs. 410-412. Zuni eating bowls 350
Figs. 413-415. Zuni eating bowls 352
Figs. 416-418. Zuni eating bowls 354
Figs. 419-421. Zuni eating bowls 356
Figs. 422-424. Zuni eating bowls 356
Figs. 425-427. Zuni eating bowls 357
Figs. 428-430. Zuni eating bowls 358
Figs. 431-436. Zuni cooking vessels 359
Figs. 437-441. Zuni ladles 360
Figs. 442-447. Zuni clay baskets 361
Figs. 448-453. Zuni clay baskets 361
Figs. 454-457. Zuni paint cups 364
Figs. 458-459. Zuni condiment cups 364
Figs. 460-461. Zuni effigies 365
Figs. 462-463. Zuni effigies 365
Figs. 464-467. Zuni effigies 365
Figs. 468-469. Zuni effigies 365
Figs. 470-471. Zuni effigies 365
Figs. 472-476. Zuni effigies 366
Figs. 477-480. Zuni effigies 366
Figs. 481-483. Zuni moccasins 367
Figs. 484-485. Zuni basketry 370
Fig. 486. Zuni pad 370
Fig. 487. Zuni toy cradle 370
Fig. 488. Zuni basketry 370
Fig. 489. Zuni toy cradle 370
Fig. 490. Zuni ladle 370
Fig. 491. Zuni war-club 372
Figs. 492-493. Zuni dance ornaments 372
Fig. 494. Zuni rotary drill 372
Fig. 495. Zuni wooden, spade 372
Fig. 496. Zuni wooden digger 372
Fig. 497. Zuni rattle 371
Fig. 498. Zuni rattle 373
Fig. 499. Zuni hopple 373
Figs. 500-502. Zuni woven sashes 373
Fig. 503. Zuni head dress 374
Figs. 504-507. Wolpi axes 375
Fig. 508. Wolpi metate 375
Fig. 509. Wolpi ancient pipe 378
Fig. 510. Wolpi stone effigy 378
Fig. 511. Wolpi neck ornament 378
Figs. 512-513. Wolpi effigies 378
Fig. 514. Wolpi water vase 379
Figs. 515-516. Wolpi pots 379
Figs. 517-519. Wolpi vessels 381
Figs. 520-522. Wolpi water jars 382
Fig. 523. Wolpi eating bowl 385
Fig. 524. Wolpi cooking vessel 385
Fig. 525. Wolpi ladle 385
Figs. 526-529. Wolpi ladles 386
Fig. 530. Wolpi basket 386
Fig. 531. Wolpi basin 388
Fig. 532. Wolpi vase and bowl attached 388
Figs. 533-534. Wolpi clay statuettes 388
Figs. 535-536. Wolpi baskets 389
Figs. 537-538. Wolpi baskets 390
Fig. 539. Wolpi basket 390
Fig. 540. Wolpi floor mat 390
Figs. 541-542. Wolpi baskets 390
Figs. 543-545. Wolpi baskets 391
Fig. 546. Wolpi weaving stick 392
Fig. 547. Wolpi spindle whorl 392
Fig. 548-549. Wolpi rabbit sticks 392
Fig. 550. Wolpi rake 393
Fig. 551. Wolpi drumstick 393
Fig. 552. Wolpi treasure-box 393
Fig. 553. Wolpi dance gourd 393
Fig. 554. Wolpi treasure-box 393
Figs. 555-558. Wolpi dance ornaments 393
Fig. 559. Wolpi head-dress 394
Fig. 560. Wolpi gourd rattle 394
Fig. 561. Wolpi musical instrument 394
Fig. 562. Wolpi gourd rattle 394
Figs. 563-565. Wolpi ornaments 394
Figs. 566-569. Wolpi effigies 395
Figs. 570-572. Wolpi effigies 396
Fig. 573. Wolpi horn ladle 397
Fig. 574. Wolpi horn rattle 397
Fig. 575. Wolpi perforator 397
Fig. 576. Wolpi arrow straightener 397
Fig. 577. Wolpi wristlet 398
Fig. 578. Wolpi moccasin 398
Fig. 579. Wolpi wristlet 398
Fig. 580. Wolpi riding whip 398
Fig. 581. Wolpi drum 399
Figs. 582-583. Wolpi blanket 399
Fig. 584. Wolpi anklets 399
Figs. 585-587. Laguna water vases 400
Figs. 588-591. Laguna water vases 400
Fig. 592. Laguna water pitcher 400
Figs. 593-596. Laguna water jars 401
Figs. 597-600. Laguna effigies 402
Figs. 601-604. Laguna effigies 402
Figs. 605-609. Laguna effigies 402
Figs. 610-612. Laguna water vases 403
Figs. 613-615. Laguna eating bowls 403
Figs. 616-617. Laguna eating bowls 403
Figs. 618-619. Acoma water vases 404
Figs. 620-622. Acoma water vases 404
Figs. 623-624. Cochiti water vessels 406
Figs. 625-626. Cochiti water vessels 406
Figs. 627-628. Cochiti water vessels 406
Figs. 629-630. Cochiti water vessels 407
Figs. 631-632. Cochiti water vessels 407
Figs. 633-634. Cochiti water vessels 407
Figs. 635-636. Cochiti water vessels 407
Figs. 637-638. Cochiti water vessels 408
Figs. 639-640. Cochiti water vessels 408
Figs. 641-642. Cochiti water vessels 408
Figs. 643-644. Cochiti water vessels 408
Figs. 645-647. Cochiti effigies 409
Figs. 648-649. Santo Domingo drinking vessels 410
Fig. 650. Tesuke mortar and pestle 410
Figs. 651-652. Tesuke water vases 412
Figs. 653-654. Tesuke water vases 412
Fig. 655. Tesuke water jar 414
Fig. 656. Tesuke effigy 414
Fig. 657. Tesuke cooking vessel 414
Fig. 658. Tesuke effigy 414
Fig. 659. Tesuke cooking vessel 414
Figs. 660-662. Santa Clara water vases 416
Figs. 663-664. Santa Clara eating bowls 416
Figs. 665-666. Santa Clara effigies 416
Fig. 667. Santa Clara eating bowl 416
Fig. 668. Santa Clara platter 416
Fig. 669. Santa Clara eating bowl 416
Figs. 670-672. Santa Clara water jars 416
Figs. 673-675. San Juan eating bowls 416
Fig. 676. Jemez water vessel 417
Figs. 677-680. Water vessels from Canon De Chelly 418
Figs. 681-683. Water vessels from Canon De Chelly 420
Figs. 684-686. Bowls from Canon De Chelly 420
Figs. 687-692. Pitchers from Canon De Chelly 420
Figs. 693-696. Cooking vessels from Canon De Chelly 420
Fig. 697. Corrugated vessel from Pictograph rocks 420
Map showing location of the pueblos of Arizona
and New Mexico 319
[Illustration:
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. BUREAU OF ETHNOLOGY.
J. W. POWELL, DIRECTOR.
MAP
SHOWING LOCATION OF THE PUEBLOS
OF ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO]
* * * * *
ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OF THE COLLECTIONS
OBTAINED FROM THE INDIANS
OF NEW MEXICO AND ARIZONA IN 1879.
By JAMES STEVENSON.
* * * * *
INTRODUCTION
It is not my intention in the present paper--which is simply what it
purports to be, a _catalogue_--to attempt any discussion of the habits,
customs, or domestic life of the Indian tribes from whom the articles
were obtained; nor to enter upon a general comparison of the pottery and
other objects with articles of a like character of other, nations or
tribes. Occasionally attention may be called to striking resemblances
between certain articles and those of other countries, where such
comparison will aid in illustrating form or character.
The collection contains two thousand eight hundred and fifty-eight
specimens. Although it consists very largely of vessels and other
articles of pottery, yet it embraces almost every object necessary to
illustrate the domestic life and art of the tribes from whom the largest
number of the specimens were obtained. It includes, in addition to
pottery, implements of war and hunting, articles used in domestic
manufactures, articles of clothing and personal adornment, basketry,
trappings for horses, images, toys, stone implements, musical
instruments, and those used in games and religious ceremonies, woven
fabrics, foods prepared and unprepared, paints for decorating pottery
and other objects, earths of which their pottery is manufactured,
mineral pigments, medicines, vegetable dyestuffs, &c. But the chief
value of the collection is undoubtedly the great variety of vessels and
other articles of pottery which it contains. In this respect it is
perhaps the most complete that has been made from the pueblos. Quite a
number of articles of this group may perhaps be properly classed as
"ancient," and were obtained more or less uninjured; but by far the
larger portion are of modern manufacture.
ARTICLES OF STONE.
These consist of pestles and mortars for grinding pigments; circular
mortars, in which certain articles of food are bruised or ground;
_metates_, or stones used for grinding wheat and corn; axes, hatchets,
celts, mauls, scrapers &c.
The cutting, splitting, pounding, perforating, and scraping implements
are generally derived from schists, basaltic, trachytic, and porphyritic
rocks, and those for grinding and crushing foods are more or less
composed of coarse lava and compact sandstones. Quite a number of the
metate rubbing stones and a large number of the axes are composed of a
very hard, heavy, and curiously mottled rock, a specimen of which was
submitted to Dr. George W. Hawes, Curator of Mineralogy to the National
Museum, for examination, and of which he says:
"This rock, which was so extensively employed by the Pueblo Indians for
the manufacture of various utensils, has proved to be composed largely
of quartz, intermingled with which is a fine, fibrous, radiated
substance, the optical properties of which demonstrate it to be
fibrolite. In addition, the rock is filled with minute crystals of
octahedral form which are composed of magnetite, and scattered through
the rock are minute yellow crystals of rutile. The red coloration which
these specimens possess is due to thin films of hematite. The rock is
therefore fibrolite schist, and from a lithological standpoint it is
very interesting. The fibrolite imparts the toughness to the rock,
which, I should judge, would increase its value for the purposes to
which the Indians applied it."
The axes, hatchets, mauls, and other implements used for cutting,
splitting, or piercing are generally more or less imperfect, worn,
chipped, or otherwise injured. This condition is to be accounted for by
the fact that they are all of ancient manufacture; an implement of this
kind being rarely, if ever, made by the Indians at the present day. They
are usually of a hard volcanic rock, not employed by the present
inhabitants in the manufacture of implements. They have in most cases
been collected from the ruins of the Mesa and Cliff dwellers, by whose
ancestors they were probably made. I was unable to learn of a single
instance in which one of these had been made by the modern Indians. In
nearly all cases the edges, once sharp and used for cutting, splitting,
or piercing, are much worn and blunt from use in pounding or other
purposes than that for which they were originally intended. On more than
one occasion I have observed a woman using the edge of a handsome stone
axe in pulverizing volcanic rock to mix with clay for making pottery.
Nearly all the edged stone implements are thus injured. Those showing
the greatest perfection were either too small to utilize in this manner
or had but recently been discovered when we obtained them.
The grinders and mortars are frequently found composed of softer rock,
either ferruginous sandstone or gritty clays. For a more complete
knowledge of these stone implements we must depend on a comparative
study of large collections from different localities, and such
information as the circumstances attending their discovery may impart,
rather than upon their present condition or the uses for which they are
now employed.
Metates or grain-grinders, pestles and rubbing stones belong to the
milling industry among the Indians. The metates are generally quite
large and heavy, and could not well be transported with the limited
means at the command of Indians. They are therefore well adapted to the
uses of village Indians, who remain permanently in a place and prosecute
agricultural pursuits. They are generally of rectangular shape, and from
10 to 20 inches in length by 6 to 12 in width, and are composed of
various kinds of rock, the harder, coarse-grained kinds being
preferable, though in some instances sandstone is employed; the most
desirable stone is porous lava. These stones are sometimes carried with
families of the Pueblos moving short distances to the valleys of streams
in which they have farms in cultivation. In the permanent villages they
are arranged in small rectangular bins (see Fig. 508), each about 20
inches wide and deep, the whole series ranging from 5 to 10 feet in
length, according to the number of bins or divisions. The walls are
usually of sandstone. In each compartment one of these metates or
grinding stones is firmly set at a proper angle to make it convenient to
the kneeling female grinder. In this arrangement of the slabs those of
different degrees of texture are so placed as to produce an increased
degree of fineness to the meal or flour as it is passed from one to the
other. But a small number of these slabs were collected on account of
their great weight. Accompanying these metates are long, slim, flat
stones, which are rubbed up and down the slabs, thus crushing the grain.
These hand-stones are worn longitudinally into various shapes; some have
two flat sides, while the third side remains oval. The same variety
exists in regard to the texture of these rubbing-stones, as in the
concave grinders.
The pueblo of Zuni, from which the most important portion of the
collection was obtained, is situated in New Mexico, near the western
border, about two hundred miles southwest from Santa Fe.
At the time of Coronado's visit to this country the pueblo was located
at what is now known as "Old Zuni," on the summit of a high _mesa_. The
modern Zuni is situated upon a knoll in the valley of the Zuni River,
about two miles from the site of the old town. Certain writers have
regarded Zuni, or rather "Old Zuni," as one of the "Seven Cities of
Cibola." The evidences found at and around both the old and present Zuni
are certainly not sufficient to warrant this view, and further and more
careful investigations are necessary.
Zuni, although lying on the line of travel of military expeditions,
emigrant trains, and trade between the Pacific coast and the Rio Grande,
the foreigners visiting them have seldom remained long in their village;
nor has the advancing wave of Caucasian settlement approached
sufficiently near to exert any marked influence on their manners and
customs; at least the form and decoration of their pottery bear no
marked evidence of the influence of the more highly civilized races.
The collection made here by the expedition was more extensive than that
from any other place, and numbers about fifteen hundred objects, of
which by far the larger part is composed of earthenware articles. These
include large and small water vases, canteens of various sizes and
shapes, cooking cups, and pottery baskets used in their dances,
paint-pots, ladles, water jugs, eating bowls, spoons, pepper and salt
boxes, pitchers, bread-bowls, Navajo water jugs, treasure boxes, water
vases, cups, cooking pots, skillets, ancient pottery, animals, and
grotesque images. It belongs mostly to the variety of cream-white
pottery, decorated in black and brown colors; a portion is red ware,
with color decorations in black. There are also several pieces without
ornamentation, and one or two pieces of black ware, but the latter were
most probably obtained from other tribes, and possibly the same is true
in reference to a few pieces of other kinds which present unusual
figures or forms.
A slight glance at the figures depicted on the _tinajas_, or water
vases, will suffice to show any one who has examined the older pottery
of this region, specimens and fragments of which are found among the
ruins, that a marked change has taken place in their ideas of beauty.
Although the rigid, angular, zigzag, and geometric figures are yet found
in their decorations, they have largely given way to carved lines,
rounded figures, and attempts to represent natural objects.
A few apparently conventional figures are still generally retained, as
around the outside of the necks of the vases and on the outer surface of
the bowls, probably suggested originally by the rigid outlines of their
arid country, and in fact by their buildings. The figure of the elk or
deer is a very marked feature in the ornamentation of their white ware,
and is often found under an arch. Another very common figure is that of
a grotesquely-shaped bird, found also on the necks of water vases and
the outer surface of bowls.
ARTICLES OF CLAY.
Tinajas, or water vases, are called in the Zuni tongue
_tk[-a]h-wi-n[-a]-k[-a]-t[-e]hl-le_. They are usually from 8 to 12
inches in height, and from 12 to 15 in diameter. A smaller size of the
same form of vessels, which are from 5 to 7 inches in height and from
8 to 10 in diameter, are called _det-ts[-a]n-n[-a]_. They are of three
colors, cream white, polished red, and black: there are in the
collection comparatively few of the second, and but one of the last
variety. The decorations are chiefly in black and brown, but four or
five pieces being in black. The decorations of the cream-white group
present some four general types--those represented by Figs. 359, 363,
364, and ----, in which the uncolored circular space forms the
distinguishing characteristic; those of which Fig. 360 may be considered
a representative, of which type there are but two specimens in the
collection; those represented by Fig. 361, and those distinguished by
the rosette (see Figs. 366, 367, 368, and 370).
The following appear to be unique: (39935) Fig. 371, (40785) Fig. 375,
(41149) Fig. 372, and (41167) Fig. 374.
By a careful study of these decorations we find that they consist
chiefly of the following figures, which are combined in various ways:
triangular figures, usually on the neck; large open circles, frequently
in a diamond figure, as in Fig. 359 (39871); scrolls; or arches as in
Figs. 361, 362, &c.
In no instance do we find the meander or Greek fret on these, or in fact
any other Zuni vessels. A marked characteristic of the decorations on
the pottery of this pueblo is the absence of vines and floral figures so
common on those of some of the other pueblos. The nearest approach to
the vine is the double line of scrolls seen in (40785) Fig. 375.
Although the checkered figure is common on bowls, the Zuni artists have
appreciated the fact that it would be out of place on the convex surface
of the water vase. The elks or deer--for it is difficult to tell which
are intended--are usually marked with a circular or crescent-shaped
spot, in white, on the rump, and a red diamond placed over the region of
the heart, with a line of the same color extending from it to the mouth,
both margined with white; the head of the animal is always toward the
right.
As will be observed by examining the decorated pieces, the surface is
divided into zones by lines--sometimes single, sometimes double, but
generally slender--one near the base, one or two around the middle, one
at the shoulder, and one at the rim; thus forming one zone embracing the
neck, and two or three on the body, exclusive of the undecorated base.
Sometimes there is but one zone on the body as seen in Figs. 364 (40322)
and 359 (39871); sometimes two, as shown in Figs. 367 (40317) and 370
(41146); but often three, the middle one quite narrow, as seen in Figs.
361 (39934) and 362 (41150). Although not always shown in the figures,
the lines at the rim, shoulder, and bottom are seldom wanting in Zuni
vases. The zones are often interrupted by broad perpendicular stripes or
inclosed spaces in which circles, scroll figures, or rosettes are
inserted.
Measurements of these vessels show considerable uniformity of
proportion, the widely exceptional specimens being also exceptional in
decorations. As indicating size and proportion I give here the
measurements of some typical as well as some abnormal specimens.
The figures show the height, the diameter of the body at the widest
part, and the diameter of the mouth in inches.
+-----------------------------------+--------+-----------+----------+
| | Height.| Diameter | Diameter |
| Number. | | of body. | of mouth.|
+-----------------------------------+--------+-----------+----------+
| 1 | 8.25 | 12.00 | 6.75 |
| 2 | 10.25 | 13.75 | 7.50 |
| 3 | 11.00 | 13.25 | 7.15 |
| 4 | 12.00 | 14.50 | 8.50 |
| 5 | 10.75 | 14.50 | 8.25 |
| 6 | 11.00 | 13.00 | 8.00 |
| 7 | 7.25 | 10.00 | 5.00 |
| 8 | 7.00 | 9.25 | 5.40 |
| 9 | 4.25 | 6.75 | 4.60 |
| 10 | 4.40 | 5.50 | 3.75 |
| 11 | 3.50 | 4.50 | 3.25 |
| 12 | 3.50 | 4.25 | 2.90 |
| 13 | 7.75 | 8.00 | 5.75 |
| 14 | 9.00 | 9.75 | 6.50 |
+-----------------------------------+--------+-----------+----------+
If we reduce these to proportion, using the diameter of body as the unit
of measurement, the result is as follows:
+--------+--------+-----------++--------+--------+-----------+
| Number.| Height.| Diameter || Number.| Height.| Diameter |
| | | of mouth. || | | of mouth. |
+--------+--------+-----------++--------+--------+-----------+
| 1 | .69 | .56 || 8 | .81 | .59 |
| 2 | .75 | .54 || 9 | .63 | .68 |
| 3 | .83 | .54 || 10 | .80 | .68 |
| 4 | .81 | .58 || 11 | .78 | .72 |
| 5 | .74 | .57 || 12 | .82 | .68 |
| 6 | .84 | .61 || 13 | .97 | .72 |
| 7 | .72 | .50 || 14 | .91 | .67 |
+--------+--------+-----------++--------+--------+-----------+
From this it will be seen that No. 148, which is represented by Fig. 373
(39774), is unusually broad in proportion to the height. Nos. 152 and
153 vary to the extreme in the other direction; No. 153 is shown in
Fig. 364 (40322). Excluding these and taking the means of the large and
small kinds separately we find the average ratios to be as follows:
Height. Diameter
of mouth.
Large .78 .57
Small .78 .61
Most of the water jugs of both the Shinumos and Zunians are in the form
of canteens, usually more or less spherical, and varying in capacity
from a pint to four gallons. On each side there is a small handle in the
form of a loop or knob, through or around which is placed a small shawl
or strip of cloth, or a cord long enough to pass over the forehead so as
to suspend the vessel against the back just below the shoulders. The
other jugs are of various fanciful shapes, which will be noted in the
catalogue. A large portion are of plain brown ware, a few plain white,
and others white with colored decorations. Various names are used
apparently to designate the different kinds rather than the uses for
which they are intended.
The decorations, when present, are always on the upper side, which is
more convex than the lower, or side on which it is intended the vessel
shall lie when not in use. In the ornamented white ware the lower
portion is usually red or brown.
As all these clay fabrics are the work of North American Indians, it is
scarcely necessary for me to say that they are unglazed, a
characteristic, so far as I am aware, of all aboriginal pottery.
Some of the specimens, especially of the black ware, show a smooth
finish, and may perhaps, without violence to the term, be classed as
lustrous. This is not the effect of a varnish or partial glazing, but is
a polish, produced generally, if not always, by rubbing with a polishing
stone.
Although, as a rule, the paste of which the ware is made is
comparatively free from foreign matter, yet many pieces, especially of
the decorated ware, when broken, show little whitish or ash-colored
specks. These, when found in aboriginal pottery east of the Mississippi,
have, I believe, been without question considered as fragments or
particles of shell broken up and mixed with the paste. This may be
correct in reference to the pottery found east of and in the Mississippi
Valley, but this whitish and grayish matter in the pottery of the
Indians of New Mexico and Arizona is in most cases pulverized pottery,
which is crushed and mixed with the paste. Black lava is sometimes
crushed and used in the same manner.
The principal material used is a clay, apparently in its natural state,
varying in color according to locality. Although comparatively free from
pebbles or lumps of foreign matter, we detect in some of the coarser
specimens small particles of mica and grains of other materials, and in
one broken specimen the elytron of a small coleopterous insect. But as a
general rule, the paste appears to have been free from foreign matter.
A slight glance at this large collection is sufficient to show that the
potters worked by no specific rule, and that they did not use patterns.
While it is apparent that only a few general forms were adopted, and
that, with few exceptions, the entire collection may be grouped by
these, yet no two specimens are exactly alike; they differ in size, or
vary more or less in form. The same thing is also true in reference to
the ornamentation: while there is a striking similarity in general
characteristics, there is an endless variety in details. No two similar
pieces can be found bearing precisely the same ornamental pattern.
Much the larger portion of the collection consists of vessels of various
kinds, such as bowls, cooking utensils, canteens, bottles, jars,
pitchers, cups, ladles, jugs, water vases, ornamental vessels,
paint-pots, &c. These vary in size from the large vase, capable of
holding ten gallons, to the little cup and canteen, which will contain
less than half a pint. The other and much smaller portion includes all
those articles which cannot be classed as vessels, such as images, toys,
toilet articles, representations of animals, &c. The collection can
perhaps be most satisfactorily classified by reference to the coloring,
ornamentation, and quality, thus:
1. _The red or uncolored pottery_, which is without ornamentation of any
kind. Some of this is coarse and rough, and in this case always more
than ordinarily thick; but the larger portion has the surface smooth and
often polished. The color varies from the natural dull leaden hue of the
clay, to a bright brick red, the latter largely predominating.
2. _The brown ware_, or that which shows an admixture of mica. This,
although uniformly without color decorations, is occasionally marked
with impressed figures and lines. Although inferior in quality, being
coarse and fragile, it presents more symmetrical though less varied
forms than are usually found in the preceding group. The influence of
contact with the European races is here very apparent, as, for example,
in the true pitcher and other common utensils and an apparent attempt at
glazing.
3. _The black ware_ which is without ornamentation. This variety in
quality and character is precisely like the polished red of the first
group; but is slightly in advance of that in regard to finish, and
perhaps, as heretofore remarked, may be classed as lustrous, while the
red may be classed as semi-lustrous. The paste of which this black ware
is formed appears to have been better prepared than that of the
preceding varieties, and is the hardest and firmest in the collection.
4. _The cream-white pottery decorated in colors_. This extensive group,
which includes fully two-thirds of the entire collection, embraces
almost every known form of earthenware manufactured by the tribes from
whom it was obtained. The paste of which it is formed is similar in
character to that of the black ware. When broken the fracture shows very
distinctly the effect of burning, the interior being of the natural
leaden color, shading off to a dull grayish white as it approaches the
outer surface. The opaque or creamy-white color of the surface is
produced by a coating of opaque whitewash. Upon this white surface the
figures are afterwards drawn.
The only colors used in decorating pottery are black, red, and some
shade of brown. But of this we will speak more fully when we come to
describe the peculiar methods practiced by the different tribes in
making and adorning pottery.
Although there is a strong general similarity in this colored
ornamentation, the great variety of details renders it difficult to
classify the figures so as to convey a correct idea of them to the
reader. We shall therefore have to refer him to the numerous cuts and
the colored plates which have been introduced for the purpose of
illustrating the catalogue.
The following general statement is about all that can be said in
reference to them before descending to specific details.
So far as the coloring is concerned they are of two kinds, those having
the figures wholly black, and those which are partly black and partly
brown or red. The differences in the decorated pottery appear to be
always accompanied by certain other variations sufficient to warrant
speaking of them as different varieties or groups. The former (those
having the figures wholly black), which are made of the ordinary plastic
blue clay, have only the upper half or two-thirds of the body of the
vessel overlaid with the white coating for receiving the decorations,
the lower part being uncoated, and of the natural pale red or salmon
color produced by burning, but usually well polished. As additional
distinguishing features of this group we notice that the shape is more
generally globular, the workmanship rather superior, and the pottery
somewhat harder and less friable than that of the other group; the
angular and geometrical figures formed by straight lines are more common
in this group; here we also find the meander or Greek fret correctly
drawn, the vine, and several other designs rarely or never found in the
other group. The figures of animals, which are common to both varieties,
are in the former more usually distributed in zones or groups, while in
the latter they are generally placed singly in inclosed spaces. The
latter variety, in which we see the curve freely used, shows an evident
advance over the ornamentation of the older pottery of this region; and
while the figures must be classed as rude, and the outlines are less
sharp, and not so well defined as in the older specimens, yet they
indicate clearly a mental advance in the greater variety of conception.
The figures of this entire class, as regards forms, may be grouped under
three general headings: first, the geometrical, which is the most
common; second, the figures of animals; and, third, rude attempts at
floral decorations, which forms are rather rare. Strange to say, in but
few instances can any attempt at representing the human form or any part
of it be discovered in these color decorations.
The geometric figures present an endless variety; but we notice, as is
shown by the cuts and plates, that triangles with an elongate acuminate
apex and the zigzag are very common in the black-brown decorations. The
checkered figure also is not uncommon. The animals most frequently
represented are the elk or deer and birds. The floral decorations are
chiefly vines well drawn, and rude attempts at representing trees, and
the flowers of various species of _Helianthus_.
5. _Red ware with color decorations_. This ware is represented by but
few vessels, which are in every respect similar to the best variety of
the red pottery heretofore mentioned, except that it is marked with
figures in black, many of which are decorated only on the upper portions
around the neck or rim.
6. _The ancient pottery_, of which Figs. 680 (40816) and 693 (40817) are
good examples.
The Pueblo tribes of New Mexico and Arizona, with rare exceptions,
manufacture earthenware vessels for domestic use. The Pueblo of Taos may
be mentioned as one of these exceptions; although the manner of living,
the general habits, and characteristics of the tribe are similar to
those of the other Pueblo Indians, and although they make use of pottery
for domestic purposes, they do not manufacture it. Some pieces, such as
water jars and vessels used for cooking, are made in the village, but
this occurs only in such families as have intermarried with other tribes
where the manufacture of the native ware is carried on.
The Pueblos among whom the manufacture of pottery or earthenware
utensils may be classed as a conspicuous feature of their peculiar
civilization at the present time, are situated geographically as
follows: San Juan, Santa Clara, San Ildefonso, Cochiti, Santo Domingo,
San Felipe, Sandia, and Isleta, located on the Rio Grande; Pojake,
Tesuke, Nambe, Jamez, Zia or Silla, Santa Ana, Laguna, and Acoma,
situated on the tributaries of the Rio Grande; Zuni, and some small
pueblos of the same tribe all within the borders of New Mexico. Zuni
however is located on the Rio Zuni, which flows into the Little Colorado
River.
The Moki pueblos, numbering seven in all, are embraced in what is called
the Province of Tusyan, and are located within the Territory of Arizona,
near its northeastern corner.
The Zunians and Shinumos, although situated farther from civilized
people and less influenced by their usages than any of the other Indians
mentioned, surpass all the other tribes in the manufacture of all kinds
of earthenware. The collections made from these tribes, as will be seen
by reference to the catalogue, exceed, both in number and variety, those
from all the others combined. The collection as enumerated in the
catalogue includes specimens from all the pueblos referred to.
Although the uses of these articles are to a great extent the same among
all the Pueblo tribes, and the shapes and forms are apparently similar,
yet to the experienced eye there is no difficulty in detecting the
peculiarities which distinguish one from the other, or at least in
assigning them to the tribes with which they originated.
It will be observed by reference both to the colored and wood-cut
illustrations that there are special distinctions between the
ornamentation of the pottery of the pueblos of the Rio Grande Valley and
of those situated on the tributaries of the Rio Colorado. In the
decorations of the former the birds and vine are conspicuous and
constantly recurring features, while in the Zuni and Shinumo pottery the
elk, domestic animals, and birds peculiar to these arid regions are the
figures most frequently used. The difference is easily accounted for
when we are informed of the fact that the former tribes reside in the
valley of the Rio Grande, which is well adapted to the culture of the
grape as well as other crops. The ever-present vine and the numerous
birds which flock to this fertile valley will naturally suggest figures
for decoration. On the other hand, the Zunians and Shinumos reside in
regions almost destitute of water, and hence without any attractive
vegetation; therefore their designs are drawn chiefly from the sharp
outlines of their dwellings, their domestic animals, birds, and the elk
and antelope that graze in the little grassy oases. None of these are
actually drawn from nature, but from imagination and memory, as they
never have an object before them in molding or painting.
In none of the cases referred to do we observe any attempts to imitate
the exact forms or ceramic designs of the so-called ancient pottery,
fragments and sometimes entire vessels of which are found throughout
this southwestern region. This seems strange from the fact that in the
use of stone implements we find but few which are the result of their
own handiwork. The old ruins are searched, and from them, and the debris
about them, stone pestles, mortars, hammers, hatchets, rubbing stones,
scrapers, picks, spear and arrow heads, and polishing stones are
collected by the inhabitants of nearly all the pueblos, and are kept and
used by them.
The clay mostly used by the Zunians in the manufacture of pottery is a
dark, bluish, carbonaceous, clayey shale found in layers usually near
the tops of the mesas. Several of these elevated mesas are situated near
Zuni, from which the natives obtain this material. This carbonaceous
clay is first mixed with water and then kneaded as a baker kneads dough
until it reaches the proper consistency; with this, crushed volcanic
lava is sometimes mixed; but the Zunians more frequently pulverize
fragments of broken pottery, which have been preserved for this purpose.
This seems to prevent explosion, cracking, or fracture by rendering the
paste sufficiently porous to allow the heat to pass through without
injurious effect. When the clayey dough is ready to be used a sufficient
quantity is rolled into a ball. The dough, if worked by a careful
artist, is first tested as to its fitness for molding by putting a piece
of the paste to the tongue, the sensitiveness of which is such as to
detect any gritty substance or particles, when the fingers fail to do
so. The ball is hollowed out with the fingers into the shape of a bowl
(this form constituting the foundation for all varieties of earthenware)
and assumes the desired form by the addition of strips of the clay; all
traces of the addition of each strip are removed before another is
added, by the use of a small trowel fashioned from a piece of gourd or
fragment of pottery, the only tool employed in the manufacture of
pottery.
The bottoms of old water jars and bowls form stands for the articles
while being worked by the potter. The bowls are filled with sand when
objects of a globular form are to be made. Although I have often watched
the process, yet in no instance have I ever observed the use of a
potter's wheel, measuring instrument, or model of any kind. The makers,
who are always females, depend entirely on memory and skill derived from
practice to accomplish their work. The vessels when completely formed
are laid in some convenient place to sun-dry. A paint or solution is
then made, either of a fine white calcareous earth, consisting mainly of
carbonate of lime, or of a milk-white indurated clay, almost wholly
insoluble in acids, and apparently derived from decomposed feldspar with
a small proportion of mica. This solution is applied to the surface of
the vessel and allowed to dry; it is then ready for the decorations.
The pigments from which the paints are derived for decorative purposes
are also found in the vicinity of the mesas, and are employed by the
Indians in the production of two colors, each of which varies slightly
according to the intensity of heat in the process of baking, or the
manner in which it is applied. One varies from a black to a
blackish-brown, the other from a light brick red to a dark dull red
color. The material which produces these colors is generally found in a
hard, stony condition, and is ground in a small stone mortar, just as we
reduce India ink for use. When the pigment is properly reduced, and
mixed with water so as to form a thin solution, it is applied with
brushes made of the leaves of the yucca. These brushes are made of flat
pieces of the leaf, which are stripped off and bruised at one end, and
are of different sizes adapted to the coarse or fine lines the artist
may wish to draw. In this manner all the decorations on the pottery are
produced.
The substance used in producing the black ware is a clayey brown
hematite, or ferruginous indurated clay, quite hard. The material used
to produce the red or brown colors is a yellowish impure clay, colored
from oxide of iron; indeed it is mainly clay, but contains some sand and
a very small amount of carbonate of lime. These are the principal
ingredients and methods involved in the manufacture of Zuni pottery.
The method practiced by the Zunians in baking pottery differs somewhat
from that employed by the tribes who make quantities of black and red
ware. It seems to be a necessity on the part of the Zunians to observe
the greatest care in this operation. Their pottery is nearly all
decorated and must be baked free from contact with the peculiar fuel
used for that purpose. During the baking process it sometimes happens
that a piece of the fuel, which is composed of dried manure carefully
built up oven-shaped around the vessels to be baked, falls against the
vessel. In every such instance a carbonized or smoky spot is left on the
jar or bowl, which is regarded by the Indians as a blemish. The kiln is
carefully watched until the fuel is thoroughly burnt to a white ash,
when the vessels can be removed without danger of such blemishes.
The mode of manufacturing pottery adopted at the pueblos of the Rio
Grande Valley is quite similar to that described as practiced by the
Zuni, Shinumo, Acoma, and Laguna Indians, but there is considerable
difference in the method of decorating and polishing. Polishing is
practiced chiefly by the Indians of the eastern pueblos, and but little
by those of the more western region.