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| 014 Zuni Pueblo, C. 1890-1940 |
 Frogs, tadpoles and dragonflies are among the sacred creatures of Zuni mythology. Their association with water gives them an importance that rivals that of the heart-line deer (see Fig. 1) and the birds that fly up to the clouds and the heavens. Stevenson in 1880 saw many depictions of the water-spirit life forms painted onto cups and bowls made at Zuni, but few examples have survived from earlier times, perhaps because of ceremonial use until the vessel wore out. It is not known when the idea of sculpted frogs arose in the Pueblo world. Two remarkable pottery bowls from Giusewa, a neighbor of Jemez Pueblo, have four sculpted frogs around the exterior. Because Giusewa was abandoned in the first half of the 1600's, we know that the idea of sculpted frogs is at least that old. The spotted frogs on this Zuni jar are so similar to the Giusewa examples that a direct connection seems very likely. The four-pointed figures painted onto this jar have uncertain meaning, but may indicate stars. The fidelity of reproduction shown in this figure enables discernment of the stone-polishing technique used to smooth the surface slip. Polishing stones are among the treasured possessions of every potter, being handed down through countless generations. Here can be seen every stone stroke used to compact the clay slip material. Above the frog's left arm can be seen the characteristic line break that has been used in Pueblo pottery decorations for at least eight centuries.
--Francis Harlow - Los Alamos |
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