Pottery was a huge part of native living. Before pottery became available, cooking and water carrying was done with baskets. Baskets used for water carrying were woven with a high level of expertise. However, desert areas
provided few plants to use for weaving material.
The black, white and orange designs seen here are common among several of the pueblo tribes. This piece is a canteen made by the Acoma depicting a pair of waterbirds. There are too small holes near the top of the canteen where a rope is attached for easy carrying. Do you think you could paint that design by hand? Have you ever taken a canteen on a nature hike or while camping?