SPECIAL OFFER: Large Male Storyteller with 12 Children by Helen Cordero [SOLD]

Special Offer: The owner has instructed us to reduce the price of this marvelous Helen Cordero storyteller figurine by $5000, from the original posted price of $28,500 to a new price of $23,500.

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 a testament to Cordero’s talent. It is beautifully sculpted and painted. Some of the children have their hands over their eyes as if the story being told is scary. Some of the children appear to be crying while others appear to be asleep. Six of the children cling to the back of the adult, two hang on to his sides, and four are on the front.

The adult is wearing his hair tied in a chonga in the back, a squash blossom necklace that was very popular in the 19th century, and an elaborate collar to his shirt.

The figurine has a marvelous patina that fits with its age. It dates to the early 1970s, a period accepted as Cordero’s best. It is signed Helen Cordero Cochiti, N Mex. It is in excellent condition. This is one of the finest looking and one of the largest Cordero storyteller figurines of this period that we have had. It is truly a marvelous piece.

Note: click on second detail image above to view the back of the storyteller.

Provenance: ex coll Dennis and Janis Lyon.