Te Stevenson Expedition Revisited
Te Stevenson Expedition Revisited
James Stevenson commenced his service with the federal government as a geologist, beginning his career with the United States Geological Survey in 1866. He traveled extensively throughout the Western regions of the country, including the area that would later become Yellowstone National Park.
In 1879, the United States government established the Bureau of American Ethnology under the direction of its founder, John Wesley Powell. Stevenson was appointed as an ethnographic specialist assigned to the Southwestern territories. Alongside his wife, Matilda Cox Stevenson, he undertook several research expeditions among the Native American Pueblos situated along the Rio Grande River.
During their feldwork in 1879, 1880, and 1881, Stevenson assembled a substantial collection of pottery and ethnographic materials, which were subsequently dispatched to Washington, D.C. The 1881 report of the Bureau of American Ethnology reports that the Stevensons collected over 4,900 individual objects from Pueblo communities in New Mexico and Arizona.
The brothers Victor and Cosmos Mindelef, both trained architects and accomplished photographers, were employed by the Bureau in 1881 to survey and document the ancient ruins of the Southwest. They spent considerable time among the Pueblos, acquiring representative examples of pottery to the bureau. These were later incorporated into collections sent to the Smithsonian Institution. In 1882, the brothers accompanied James Stevenson on an expedition to Canyon de Chelly and Canyon del Muerto.
Stevenson maintained meticulous records of his acquisitions, often producing detailed sketches. These objects were typically inscribed with his name, the location of collection, and the abbreviation �Bur. Ethnol.� Upon arrival at the museum, each item was assigned an accession number. The inscription �Mrs. Stevenson� on a bi-lobed canteen is notably uncommon, as her name seldom appears on objects gathered during the expeditions.
Historically, it was not unusual for small museums, historical societies, and libraries to petition the Smithsonian Institution for objects from its vast holdings, in order to enhance their exhibit. Many such items have since entered the public domain and now reside in prominent collections around the globe.
1. In 1879 the Bureau of American Ethnology was established by an act of congress for the purpose of transferring archives, records, and materials relating to the North American Indians from the Department of the Interior to the Smithsonian Institution.
Summer 202 Collection of Pottery
1. Acoma four color polychrome olla, 1870-1880 , �1101 . Acoma. N.M. Stevenson. Bur. Ethnol. Exchange.� �Mrs. Enock J. our , 17 Gramercy Place, Glenn NJ , June 4� 11. x 1 in.
2. Acoma aguna polychrome double-lobed canteen, 187 -1880 , �Exchange. 1 464 . Acoma. N.M. Mrs.Stevenson.� 4.6 x 11 4 in.
. Acoma polychrome olla with additional cold painted organic green paint, �107241Exchanged. Ackman New Mexico, Mendelof� 9.7 x 11.7 in. , 187 -1880 , see Dillingham 1992
4. Acoma polychrome bird fgure, �110947. Acoma. N.M. Stevenson. Bur. Ethn. Exchange� 6. x 10.7 cm , 187 -1880 , see BAE 1880-1881 catalog of collections obtained 1879, 1880 fgs 60 -9
. Acoma polychrome bird fgure, 187 -1880 , �110971. Acoma. N.M. Stevenson. Bur. Ethn. Ex.�
4.8 x 8.8 cm , see BAE 1880-1881 catalog of collections obtained 1879, 1880 fgs 60 -9
6. Acoma polychrome bird fgure, �110949. Aconoma. N.M. Stevenson. Bur. Ethn. Exchange�
6.2 x 9.4 cm , 187 -1880 , see BAE 1880-1881 catalog of collections obtained 1879, 1880 fgs 60 -9
7. Polacca Hopi bowl with katsina kachina face, 18 0-1840 , �Exchange� 111 79. uni. N.M. Stevenson. Bur. Ethn.� 4.7 x 12 cm.
8. Acomita polychrome olla, 1820 or before, collected by the Mindelef Brothers , 11. dia x 9 in.
9. uni Canteen, 1870-1880 , �Exchange� 10. x 12.1 in.
10. Acoma aguna polychrome double-lobed canteen, 187 -1880 , �Exchange 106918 Acoma NM Mindele A.� 4.1 x 7.8 in
11. ia polychrome olla, 1870-1880 , �1 880. Siana. N.Mex. Stevenson. Bur. Eth.� 7. x 9 in.
12. Isleta polychrome handled cup, 1880 , � 04 , uni New Mexico Stevenson� 8. x 6.8 cm
1 . Isleta polychrome handled cup, Acoma polychrome handled pitcher, 1880 , �110 71. Acoma. N.M. Stevenson. Bur. Ethnol. Ex � 4. x 8.2 cm.
14. Acomita bowl, 1840-18 0 , �T.R. 110 86. Aconoma. NM Stevenson. Bur. Ethonol. Exchanged� .8 x 9in. ref. anmon, Dwight P. , and rancis Harvey Harlow. The Pottery of Acoma
Pueblo, 201 . , Chapter , ig. .8 Acomita Polychrome jar
1 . Transitional Acomita Acoma polychrome seed bowl, 18 0-18 0 , 8.7 x 7.0 in
Designed by Caroline Stanczak
