Pictorial Design Cochiti Pueblo 19th Century Canteen [SOLD]

Paraphrasing Bruce Bernstein (2008), there was a significant increase in the production of “story pots” in the late nineteenth century. Primarily they depicted male activities such as hunting or other daily events. Based on the iconography, Bernstein concluded that the pottery of this style was painted by men of the village.

Continuing along Bernstein’s thoughts, these were produced perhaps to reinforce among the pueblo peoples their cultural values that had been suppressed by the influence of outsiders a couple hundred years before. These “story pots” were secular in intent, and had no religious function. The expression of pueblo cultural values through illustrations on these pots was possibly a reaction to the changes brought by the invasion of outsiders. They reinforce the importance of these male-dominated activities, and reinforce the fact that “we are still as we were.”

The iconography of this canteen shows a mountain lion, a hunter, his bow and arrows, and rain clouds. The probable date of the canteen is very late 19^th century. It is in excellent condition and has had no restoration or repair.