Ceramic: McElmo Black-on-white votive plate AZRU1-1021

Summary

McElmo Black-on-white, votive plate, Accession AZRU-00001 Catalog #1021, Morris FS 5478. Analyzed by Lori Reed 2011. Vessel form is a shallow plate with single handle attached; offset painted zoomorphic figure suggests use as a votive container. The head, neck, and right arm of the zoomorphic figure is a restoration of the plate using tinted plaster or other material and commercial paint. Original shape of head is unknown. Measurements: 20.1 cm diameter, 3.8 cm height. Image AZRU1-1021 A: interior view showing painted zoomorphic figure (frog or lizard). Image AZRU1-1021 B: closeup of zoomorphic figure. Image AZRU1-1021 C: closeup of zoomorphic figure. AZRU1-1021 D: interior view. AZRU1-1021 E: oblique view of vessel shape. Recovered from Earl Morris' excavation of Room 193, Aztec West Ruin. Earl Morris’ description of Room 193 at the time of excavation is as follows. “….refuse that had been deposited on the second floor, including fragments of a considerable number of very fine medium-sized water jars and mugs that were shattered, possibly intentionally, judging from their number and the fact that they were practically new and of the same potter. Another atypical Chaco water jar had the entire surface completely hidden by a coat of lacquer bearing an elaborate design in yellow, red, and black” (Morris 1928:362). Reference: Earl Morris, 1928, Notes on Excavations in the Aztec Ruin, Volume XXVI, Part V, Anthropological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Calendar Date: 1110 to 1140 (Late Chacoan)

Calendar Date: 1140 to 1280 (Post-Chacoan)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Gary Brown

Contributor(s): Anne Grulich; Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec, NM

Principal Investigator(s): Lori Reed

Repository(s): Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec, NM; American Museum of Natural History, New York City, NY

Notes

Rights & Attribution: High resolution images of the item are archived and available to researchers through the National Park Service, Aztec Ruins National Monument.

Rights & Attribution: Artifact was collected from Aztec West Ruin excavations by Earl Morris between 1916 and 1922. Morris' excavations were sponsored and funded by the American Museum of Natural History, New York.

Rights & Attribution: Publication or use of the image is restricted; permission may be obtained through consultation with American Museum of Natural History and Aztec Ruins National Monument.

Source Collections

Original Items: American Museum of Natural History, New York, and NPS, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec, New Mexico

Image: NPS, Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec, New Mexico

Related Comparative Collections

Aztec Ruins Collections housed at Hibben Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque

Aztec Ruins Collections housed at American Museum of Natural History, New York

Aztec Ruins Collections housed at Aztec Ruins National Monument, Aztec, New Mexico

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