The different varieties of ware, the red or brown without decorations, the white with decorations, and the black are in general use with the tribe, and specimens of each are contained in the collection. But few specimens of the purely micaceous ware are found, either in Zuñi or Wolpi.
The preponderance of the large round water jugs in the Shinumo collection over that of Zuñi is noticeable. This form of vessel seems to be more in use by tribes whose villages are quite remote from water or which are situated on high mesas difficult of access. The kinds of vessels, however, which are common with the Zuñians are also common with the Shinumos, and those intended for the same use are generally of the same
shape or similar in form. But, as with the decorations, there are also vessels so markedly distinct and variant from those we find at Zuñi as to show very readily at least tribal distinctions between the ceramic artists and manufacturers.
The proximity of Laguna to Acoma led us to anticipate what we afterward found, viz., a great similarity in the forms of their vessels, and also in their manner of ornamentation. The principal differences consist in the more profuse use of the forms of birds and flowers, the first evidently representing prairie grouse and the last some form of sunflower. There is an absence of the geometrical forms, of lines and angles commonly observed on the works of more distant pueblos.
Quite a number of animal representations, made hollow for use as drinking vessels, were obtained, displaying grotesquely imitative forms of deer, elk, sheep, big-horn, antelope, and other animals with which they are familiar. All of these objects have more color laid on them than is to be found on the pottery of their neighbors of Acoma, the birds and animals being painted in a light rufous fawn color not in use elsewhere, and the only instance of the employment of green is on a tinaja of this pueblo used in coloring some foliage.
VEGETAL SUBSTANCES.
This class of ware comprises a very diversified group of objects; indeed, so great is the variety that I will not attempt a general description of them. Specific reference will be made to the objects as they occur in their places in the catalogue.
The objects of basketry or wicker-work are quite varied in form, construction, and decoration. Those made by the Zuñi Indians are so rude and coarse as not to entitle them to any merit. The larger baskets made by this tribe are used for carrying corn, melons, peppers, &c. The smaller are used for holding beans, shelled corn, and other coarse small materials.
The basketry of the Shinumos is of a finer and more finished quality. Among these are many jug or canteen shaped baskets, from which, no doubt, many of the forms of their pottery water vessels have been copied. These are sometimes globular, with large round bodies and small necks. They are generally very closely woven and are then coated over with a resin or gum which renders them capable of holding water. Like some of their water jugs, in pottery, they have small horsehair ears or loops attached to the sides through which strings are passed for carrying them either over the head or shoulder. This class of water jug basketry all show evidences of age, and it is possible that they were manufactured by the Apaches or other tribes skilled in the art. The
flat kinds are designed to hold fine grain and meal, and are also frequently used for winnowing. This is done by placing a small quantity of grain in the basket, and by a skillful motion throwing the grain up into the wind and again catching it as it comes down. This motion is kept up until the wind has separated the chaff from, the grain. Many of the flat baskets are decorated in colors, as will be seen by the accompanying illustrations.