Cochiti Pueblo Four-piece Nacimiento [SOLD]

When the book Nacimientos was first published in 1979, there were only 15 pueblo potters included, of which there were only five from Cochiti Pueblo. Mary Martin was not in the group of five listed which indicates that she was not making nacimientos in 1979.  According to research by Guy and Doris Monthan, when planning to write a book on Native nacimientos, “the first Indian-made Nativities appeared in the late 1950s.  Into the early 1960s, the craft was engaged in by only three or four artisans on an occasional basis.  It accelerated in the late 1960s and swelled to the proportions of a movement in the late 1970s.”

Mary Martin had made her first storyteller figurine in 1974 and possibly started making nacimientos later that year, although I have not found a record of her first nacimiento.  This one has Mary, Joseph, an Angel and the Baby Jesus in a cradleboard. Each of the four pieces is signed by the artist but not dated.  Mary’s cape over her head is beautifully painted with stripes and stars.  Joseph’s blanket is designed with rain clouds and feathers.  Baby Jesus seems to be fully clothed and wearing a squash blossom necklace.

Condition:  very good condition

Recommended Reading: Nacimientos - Nativity Scenes by Southwest Indian Artisans by Guy and Doris Monthan.  This out-of-print book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery

Provenance: from the collection of a family from Albuquerque