Acoma Pueblo Female Storyteller with 7 Children [SOLD]

As lively and bubbly as her personality, Marilyn reveals much joy in her work while capturing a sense of humor with her storyteller figurines—this one is no exception. Dressed in traditional pueblo clothing, this female storyteller embraces 7 children climbing, playing or just being mischievous. One boy is beating a drum, a girl holds a doll in a cradleboard, and another boy has his legs crossed and is just relaxing on the adults lap.  The boys and girls on her arms and shoulders are just horsing around.  The adult's mouth is open as she sings a story to all the children. She holds a seed pot decorated with Mimbres designs.

The figurine was most likely made in the 1980s as it is signed Marilyn Henderson. Later ones of hers are signed Marilyn Ray.

The artist is an excellent potter and painter and has consistently won awards since 1980 at the New Mexico State Fair, Santa Fe Indian Market, Eight Northern Pueblos Arts & Crafts, and the Heard Museum.  This storyteller figurine well demonstrates why she is an award winner year after year.

Condition: original condition with a very minor scratch on the tips of each foot of the adult.

Provenance: from the collection of a family from California

Recommended Reading:  The Pueblo Storyteller: Development of a Figurative Ceramic Tradition by Barbara Babcock.  This book is currently not available from Adobe Gallery