Cochiti Pueblo Female Storyteller Figurine with 3 Children [SOLD]

Cochiti Pueblo has a long history of producing figurative pottery. It reached its prime in the last quarter of the 19th century and the first quarter of the 20th century. There was a strong revival in the early 1970s with the production of storyteller figurines.  Helen Cordero is given credit for making the first storyteller figurine and it, and all of hers, are male figurines.  Other potters at Cochiti followed Cordero's lead, but began producing female figurines and they too have now been called storyteller figurines.

Mary Martin, who passed away just this year, was one of the potters who specialized in making storyteller figurines.  According to Barbara Babcock in her book The Pueblo Storyteller, Mary Martin made her first one in 1974. 

This female storyteller is signed and dated 1983; the same year that Martin was awarded a 1^st award ribbon at Santa Fe Indian Market.  Martin went a little extra when making figurines.  In this case, she added a chonga to the back of the head of the adult and a sash with ties behind her back. These items would not normally be seen because they are on the back side of the figurine.  It is extra touches like these that define a dedicated potter.

Condition: The figurine is in original excellent condition.

Provenance: from an Albuquerque collector of pueblo arts

Recommended Reading: The Pueblo Storyteller by Barbara Babcock