Ceramic: Mesa Verde Black-on-white, canteen, AZRU8-1502

Mesa Verde Black-on-white, canteen fish effigy, Accession AZRU-00008 Catalog #1502. Morris FS 5478. Analyzed by Lori Reed 2011. Temper not analyzed; not visible. Vessel is 100% complete with about 40% reconstruction with unknown plaster material. Measurements: 2.6 cm orifice diameter, 15.5 cm height. Image AZRU8-1502 A: side view showing fish shape and painted design. Image AZRU8-1502 B: side view showing fish shape and painted design. Image AZRU8-1502 C: side view showing design. Image AZRU8-1502 D: side view showing design. Image AZRU8-1502 E: side view showing design. Image AZRU8-1502 F: anterior (front) view showing face of fish. Image AZRU8-1502 G: posterior view. Image AZRU8-1502 H: top view showing orifice. Image AZRU8-1502 I: top view showing orifice. Image AZRU8-1502 J: top view showing orifice. Image 8-1502 K: view of base. Image 8-1502 L: view of base. 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.