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

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 Zu?i 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 Zu?i 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 Zu?i 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