Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 1991-0003-0001A,B   CAS 1991-0003-0001A,B; Teapot with lid
Category Culinary Items; Pottery
Object Name Teapot with lid
Culture Navajo
Global Region North America
Country USA
State/Prov./Dist. Arizona
County Coconino
Other Geographic Data Navajo Indian Reservation; Community: Cow Springs
Maker's Name Helen Herder
Date of Manufacture 1988
Collection Name N/A
Materials Clay; Piñon pine (Pinus edulis) pitch
Description Teapot with flat base, flaring sides that rise to a high rounded shoulder and then curve inward to a narrow diameter mouth; Short cylindrical spout juts out from the shoulder on one side, and opposite it is a single heavy coiled handle mounted vertically at the shoulder and just above mid-level height on side of teapot; Pair of decorative parallel clay fillets (broken into segments by spout and handle) encircle shoulder of teapot; Interior and exterior surfaces are minimally scraped smooth, but left undecorated except for short V-shaped incised lines along decorative fillets; Interior and exterior are coated with piñon pine pitch; Accompanying lid is flat on top with pronounced lip on underside that fits inside teapot’s top opening; Lug handle is appliquéd atop lid and is perforated; Lid is also coated with piñon pine pitch. Helen Herder is among the more traditional Navajo potters living in the Cow Springs, AZ area.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 16.7, Width = 24.1, Rim Diam = 7.5, Max Diam = 18.0