AURELIA SUINA Seated Female Storyteller with 4 Children

Cochiti Pueblo Potter Aurelia Suina made pottery figurines as early as the 1940s but made her first storyteller figurine around 1968, just a few years after Helen Cordero introduced storytellers in 1965.  This storyteller is a female with four young kids sitting on her lap, reminiscent of a grandmother with her grandchildren.  The children are facing away from her and all appear to be boys.  The storyteller is dressed in traditional pueblo clothing.  The sleeves of her blouse are decorated and she is wearing a traditional turquoise nugget necklace with jaclas.  

This figurine was acquired by the gallery in 1982, sold to a client, returned to us in 1993, sold again in 1994 to  a client from whom we now have it back.  Aurelia Montoya Suina (1911-1997) reportedly made her first storyteller in 1968.  Aurelia was the mother-in-law of Ada Suina and is credited with teaching Ada the techniques of pottery production.  The figurine is in original condition.

Relative Links: SOUTHWEST INDIAN POTTERY, COCHITI PUEBLO, KO-TYIT , FIGURINES, Ada Suina, Aurelia Suina, Cochiti Pueblo Potter