Helen Cordero was truly an original artist. Unable to fashion pottery vessels in a manner with which she could be satisfied, she changed her course to figurative pottery, rather than give up altogether. Little did she know that she was starting a new tradition in pueblo pottery production.

Helen Cordero created a pottery figurine of an adult male with numerous children clinging to every part of him. This was the beginning of the  “storyteller” figurine and was inspired by memories of her grandfather years earlier. She created the first storyteller figurine in 1964. A storyteller made by her is to be a treasured item in any collection.

Helen, during her career, expanded her figurines to include a Cochiti drummer—probably in honor of her husband, Fred, who was a drummaker—and other figurines such as a Hopi Potcarrier, Mother Turtle, and a Nacimiento.

This is one of Helen’s drummer figurines. He is painted with traditional pueblo clothing to represent a plaid shirt, soft hide moccasins, a squash blossom necklace and a blanket thrown over his shoulder. He has one leg crossed over the other while a drum rests on his thigh. His right hand is raised with a wood and cloth head drumstick.

This figurine is from the best period of Helen’s career—the 1970s. It is in excellent original condition and signed on the underside by the artist.

Item Provenance: 
This item was presented in the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center's special exhibit TIMELESS BEAUTY in Albuquerque, New Mexico, January-August 2008. This exhibition celebrated the achievements and impact made by some of the most renowned Pueblo women artists on the preservation, exposure, and development of the indigenous and contemporary art forms of Pueblo people. Curated by the IPCC in collaboration with Santa Fe-based Adobe Gallery and the School for Advanced Research, TIMELESS BEAUTY showcased a collaborative collection of artwork created by these influential women.