Male Pottery Roly Poly Figurine Holding a Child [R]

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. Some potters at Cochiti expanded beyond the traditional storyteller figurines. Seferina Ortiz was one of them. She was one of the most respected potters at Cochiti. She specialized in making figurines—storytellers, nacimientos, and animal and human figures.

I do not recall being aware of any potter other than Seferina who produced these rounded figurines that have become known as roly-poly figurines. Perhaps "Humpty Dumpty" was her inspiration. At any rate, it is a charming idea that she came up with.

This figurine was made by request of the current owner in 2005.  The following year, another matching figurine was made by request, but without the child.  It is our item number C3293B.

Condition: original condition

Provenance:  from a gentleman collector in Missouri

Recommended Reading: The Pueblo Storyteller by Barbara Babcock