Cochiti Pueblo Pottery Figurine of Black Bears as Drummers by Louis Naranjo [SOLD]

Cochiti Pueblo artist Louis Naranjo created this charming pottery figurine rendition of Powwow drummers energetically beating a huge drum, but he substituted black bears for the humans. To emphasize the loudness of the action, a bear cub, sitting on the edge, has his paws covering both ears.

Louis Naranjo (1932-1997) was a most creative artist and a most jovial man.  It was always a pleasure when he would visit the gallery to bring a pottery figurine to sell.  He and Virginia were always a pleasure to see. They worked together in their home making figurines day in and day out and I imagine they joked and laughed most of the time.  It was their way.

Louis is the creator of the bear storyteller figurine.  He said he was hunting one day and saw a mother bear watching her two cubs playing nearby.  That gave him the idea for an innovative creation.  

Condition: this Cochiti Pueblo Pottery Figurine of Black Bears as Drummers by Louis Naranjo is in original condition

Provenance: from the collection of an Albuquerque resident

Recommended Reading: There is an excellent article on Louis and Virginia Naranjo in Indians of New Mexico, edited by Richard C. Sandoval and Ree Sheck. Published by New Mexico Magazine, Santa Fe, 1990. ISBN 0-937206-16-4. It may be available from the publisher.

Relative Links: Cochiti Pueblo, pottery, Frances Suina, Virginia Naranjo, figurative pottery, Louis and Virginia Naranjo