GENERAL DESCRIPTION
A Mogollon trading center flourished from about 1150 to 1350 CE in the Casas Grandes Valley. Turquoise, exotic birds, and decorative pottery figured in the extensive trade network of the center. Casas Grandes potters preferred the form of the round‑bottomed jar, its surface highly polished and decorated in black, red, and cream paint. Opposed stepped triangles, checkerboard patterns, and dotted squares are characteristic motifs. Lidded jars are quite rare, yet the convergence of motifs on the top and bottom pieces indicates they were conceived as a unit. Bold curvilinear spirals frame pairs of opposed stepped triangles and rows of dotted squares on the jar. The painting on the interior of the lid depicts three parrot or macaw heads, another prevalent motif in the pottery of Casas Grandes.
Adapted from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Lidded Jar (1990.96.a-b.FA)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 55.
- Carol Robbins, "Lidded Jar (1990.96.a-b.FA)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Suzanne Kotz (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art, 1997), 197.
NOTES
- Mogollon culture, Casas Grandes culture, A.D. 1150-1350 (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 06/19/14.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks). Provenance Note: Elizabeth M. and Duncan E. Boeckman are the anonymous donors. The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated February 29, 1990, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential).
- Fun Facts Source: TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, Steven A. LeBlanc, former curator at the Southwest Museum at Los Angeles, recorded by Karen Zelanka on 8/5/1992, data entered by Tanya Fisher on 1/23/1995.
Cultures
Casas Grandes: AAT: 300016921
Mogollon: AAT: 300016929
Southwestern North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016920
Western North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016888
Geography
Southwest (general region): TGN: 4010660
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Chihuahua (state): TGN: 7005581
Casas Grandes (ancient site): TGN: 7354216
Casas Grandes (inhabited place): TGN: 7033083
Casas Grandes River (river): TGN: 7007912
Sierra Madre (mountains): TGN: 7380613
Paquimé (deserted settlement): TGN: 7032428
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
clay: AAT: 300010439
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
glazing (coating): AAT: 300053914
incising: AAT: 300053847
burnishing (polishing): AAT: 30053869
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
Escondida Polychrome Tonto Variant (Casas Grandes / Southwestern North American pottery styles): DMA
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
storage containers: AAT: 300197582
jars (vessels): AAT: 300195347
lids (covers): AAT: 300045712
round‑bottomed jar (vessels / containers): DMA
black (color): AAT: 300130920
red (color): AAAT: 300126225
white (color): AAT: 300129784
cream (color): AAT: 300266242
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
spirals (geometric figures): AAT: 300163114
checker pattern: AAT: 300010111
step pattern: AAT: 300010229
squares (geometric figures): AAT: 300055637
diamonds (motifs): AAT: 300009791
animals: DMA
birds (animals): AAT: 300266506
birds (motifs): AAT: 300375751
macaws (birds): AAT: 300310660
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From at least 1965-1969: Private collection, United States [1], [2]
From 1969-1990: Mr. and Mrs. Leon Walters, Fort Worth, Texas (1969-1977), Taos, New Mexico (1977-1989), Fort Worth, Texas (1989-1990) [1], [2]
From 1990: Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, anonymous gift, purchased from Fort Worth Gallery (Dutch Phillips, dealer) [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is letter from Dutch Phillips, Director of Fort Worth Gallery to Carolyn Tate, Dallas Museum of Art Associate Curator of Pre-Columbian Art (dated January 03, 1990, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated February 29, 1990, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[4] See Collections Records Digital Object File.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
253363177: UMO. [Caption] Blue and Yellow Macaw (ara ararauna). Source: Benjamint444, Wikimedia Commons, accessed: April 27, 2015, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-and-yellow_macaw#/media/File:Blue-and-Yellow-Macaw.jpg.
WEB RESOURCES
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
This is a unique piece—the two parts fit together and are designed to go together. The lidded bowl was designed for an elite person in Casas Grandes. It possibly functioned as a funeral urn in which bones were placed inside, as the Casas Grandes culture did not cremate bodies.
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1990.96.a-b.FA
Category
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General Description
A Mogollon trading center flourished from about 1150 to 1350 CE in the Casas Grandes Valley. Turquoise, exotic birds, and decorative pottery figured in the extensive trade network of the center. Casas Grandes potters preferred the form of the round‑bottomed jar, its surface highly polished and decorated in black, red, and cream paint. Opposed stepped triangles, checkerboard patterns, and dotted squares are characteristic motifs. Lidded jars are quite rare, yet the convergence of motifs on the top and bottom pieces indicates they were conceived as a unit. Bold curvilinear spirals frame pairs of opposed stepped triangles and rows of dotted squares on the jar. The painting on the interior of the lid depicts three parrot or macaw heads, another prevalent motif in the pottery of Casas Grandes.
Adapted from
- Bonnie Pitman, ed., "Lidded Jar (1990.96.a-b.FA)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2012), 55.
- Carol Robbins, "Lidded Jar (1990.96.a-b.FA)," in Dallas Museum of Art: A Guide to the Collection, ed. Suzanne Kotz (Dallas, TX: Dallas Museum of Art, 1997), 197.
Fun Facts
This is a unique piece—the two parts fit together and are designed to go together. The lidded bowl was designed for an elite person in Casas Grandes. It possibly functioned as a funeral urn in which bones were placed inside, as the Casas Grandes culture did not cremate bodies.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
Notes
- Mogollon culture, Casas Grandes culture, A.D. 1150-1350 (noted on TMS), updated by KJones on 06/19/14.
- Noted in TMS, Notes / Text Entries, Other (see remarks). Provenance Note: Elizabeth M. and Duncan E. Boeckman are the anonymous donors. The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated February 29, 1990, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential).
- Fun Facts Source: TMS, Notes/Text Entries, Attribution, Steven A. LeBlanc, former curator at the Southwest Museum at Los Angeles, recorded by Karen Zelanka on 8/5/1992, data entered by Tanya Fisher on 1/23/1995.
Cultures
Casas Grandes: AAT: 300016921
Mogollon: AAT: 300016929
Southwestern North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016920
Western North American styles (Pre-Columbian): AAT: 300016888
Geography
Southwest (general region): TGN: 4010660
Mexico (nation): TGN: 7005560
Chihuahua (state): TGN: 7005581
Casas Grandes (ancient site): TGN: 7354216
Casas Grandes (inhabited place): TGN: 7033083
Casas Grandes River (river): TGN: 7007912
Sierra Madre (mountains): TGN: 7380613
Paquimé (deserted settlement): TGN: 7032428
Process/materials
ceramic (material): AAT: 300235507
clay: AAT: 300010439
paint (coating): AAT: 300015029
slip (clay): AAT: 300010459
slip glaze: AAT: 300015110
glazing (coating): AAT: 300053914
incising: AAT: 300053847
burnishing (polishing): AAT: 30053869
polishing (finishing): AAT: 300053867
coiling (pottery technique): AAT: 300053903
modeling (forming): AAT: 300053130
firing (technique): AAT: 300053887
Escondida Polychrome Tonto Variant (Casas Grandes / Southwestern North American pottery styles): DMA
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
vessels (containers): AAT: 300193015
storage containers: AAT: 300197582
jars (vessels): AAT: 300195347
lids (covers): AAT: 300045712
round‑bottomed jar (vessels / containers): DMA
black (color): AAT: 300130920
red (color): AAAT: 300126225
white (color): AAT: 300129784
cream (color): AAT: 300266242
geometric motifs: AAT: 300009764
zigzags (geometric patterns): AAT: 300165028
spirals (geometric figures): AAT: 300163114
checker pattern: AAT: 300010111
step pattern: AAT: 300010229
squares (geometric figures): AAT: 300055637
diamonds (motifs): AAT: 300009791
animals: DMA
birds (animals): AAT: 300266506
birds (motifs): AAT: 300375751
macaws (birds): AAT: 300310660
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From at least 1965-1969: Private collection, United States [1], [2]
From 1969-1990: Mr. and Mrs. Leon Walters, Fort Worth, Texas (1969-1977), Taos, New Mexico (1977-1989), Fort Worth, Texas (1989-1990) [1], [2]
From 1990: Dallas Museum of Art, Foundation for the Arts Collection, anonymous gift, purchased from Fort Worth Gallery (Dutch Phillips, dealer) [2], [3], [4]
[1] The main source for this provenance is letter from Dutch Phillips, Director of Fort Worth Gallery to Carolyn Tate, Dallas Museum of Art Associate Curator of Pre-Columbian Art (dated January 03, 1990, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[2] The main source for this provenance is Acquisition Record (dated February 29, 1990, copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records Object File, Confidential). Exceptions and other supporting documents are noted.
[3] The Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit corporation created as a title-holding entity to serve the people of Dallas but to operate independently of the City. The Dallas Museum of Art (at its own cost) is responsible for the care, storage, insurance, conservation and maintenance of the collection, and agrees to maintain the highest museum standards in the management and handling of the Foundation’s collection. The title to all works of art purchased or otherwise acquired by the Foundation for the Arts is retained by the Foundation.
[4] See Collections Records Digital Object File.
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