Cochiti Pueblo Male Storyteller Figurine with 6 Children [R]

Everyone knows that Helen Cordero made the first storyteller figurine in 1964 as a tribute to her grandfather who was a storyteller at the pueblo. Alexander Girard, the great folk art collector, encouraged her to create more by purchasing all she made in the early days.

Since the figurine was in tribute to her grandfather, all of her storyteller figurines are male. She never made a female storyteller. Her female figurines are called other names, such as Singing Mother. Cordero used to say that the other potters who made female storyteller figurines didn't understand her intent.

This figurine is, of course, an adult male.  He wears a brick red shirt with a collar and buttons down the front and strips of decorative fabric running down on either side of the buttons.  As usual, his eyes are closed and his mouth open as he tells stories to the six children on his legs and hanging onto his shirt.  All six children appear to be dressed as boys.

The figurine is signed Helen Cordero Cochiti, NMex in the potter's traditional style on the underside of the figurine.  It most likely dates to the mid-1970s.

Condition:  original condition

Provenance: from a gentleman in Albuquerque

Recommended Reading: The Pueblo Storyteller by Barbara Babcock