Isleta Pueblo 11 Piece Nacimiento [SOLD]

Isleta Pueblo is thirteen miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is a Tiwa speaking people.  Early Isleta pottery was undecorated but the potters started to decorate their pottery in the early 1900s.  Today, several families are making pottery but the Teller family is distinctive because of its use of grey, buff and white slip.

Stella Teller began making pottery in the early 1960s and is well known for her use of the color grey and adding turquoise hieshe necklaces to the figures whether it be human or animal.  Stella also polishes the white slip on her animal figures.  Several members of her family make nacimientos but none are as collectable as those made by Stella which can command high prices. 

This set consists of three wise men bearing gifts of moccasins, a bowl of turquoise and a cradleboard; a kneeling Joseph and Mary holding the Christ Child; a donkey, ram, pig, cow, ewe and lamb.  All the pieces are painted in matte buff, red and grey.  Although all the pieces are intricately painted, only Mary and Joseph have a turquoise necklace.  Stella is one of just a few artists that will include a pig in her nacimientos.  Her figures do tend to be large so this is a set that will require plenty of space.

Condition:  very good condition

Provenance:  from a Santa Fe collector.

Recommended Reading:  Nacimientos by Guy and Doris Monthan