Storyteller Figurine with 12 Children by Seferina Ortiz [SOLD]

This captivating storyteller figurine by renowned Cochiti Pueblo artist Seferina Ortiz (1931-2007) is filled with charming details and anecdotes. The female figure, painted in traditional polychrome colors of red and black on white slip, is surrounded by twelve children, each engaged in unique and expressive activities. Two children perch on her shoulders — one deep in thought and another tenderly holding a cat. In her arms, a child wearing a traditional headdress carries a decorated pot, while just below, another child drifts into a peaceful nap. A particularly endearing detail is a small child cradling an even smaller child within the storyteller's embrace. On her legs, two groups of children play — one joyfully clapping in a game of patty-cake, while the other group appears to be in a small dispute, adding a touch of playful realism.

Beyond the front-facing charm, this storyteller figurine invites viewers to explore its intricacies from all angles. The back of the female figure's dress transitions from deep black to a delicately painted shawl, adorned with a pattern of hatch marks and flowers — an artistic surprise that encourages rotation and discovery. This element embodies the true spirit of storyteller figurines, where every turn reveals something new.

Signed on the bottom "Seferina Ortiz, Box 146, Cochiti N. Mex 87401," this piece is a testament to Ortiz's legacy as one of the matriarchs of Cochiti pottery. She was among the first eight potters to create storyteller figures following Helen Cordero's pioneering design. These early artisans, including Ortiz, were featured in Adobe Gallery's first Storyteller Exhibit in the early 1980s. In addition to leaving behind an extraordinary body of work, Ortiz passed her artistry on to her children — Joyce, Janice, Inez, Virgil, Leon, and Angie — several of whom are now regarded as leading Cochiti potters.

This exceptional storyteller embodies the warmth, humor, and rich storytelling tradition of Cochiti Pueblo, making it a treasured piece of Native American artistry.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: This Storyteller Figurine with 12 Children by Seferina Ortiz  is from the estate of an Adobe Gallery client.

Recommended Reading: Clay Mirror — From Monos to Storytellers: Reflections from Cochiti Pueblo from The Tom & Charlotte Mittler Collection

TAGS: Laurencita Herrera, Southwest Indian Pottery, Cochiti Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Seferina Ortiz