Illustrated Catalogue of the Collections Obtained from the Indians of New Mexico and Arizona in 187 | Page 6

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 Zuñi 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 Zuñi 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 Zuñi 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 | |