Modern Female Storyteller with Four Children c. 1980s by Mary Lewis

This modern female storyteller with four children was made circa 1980s by Mary Lewis of Cochiti Pueblo.  Depicted in this storyteller figure is a woman cradling four children as she shares her stories with them. Her closed eyes convey deep concentration and a quiet, engrossed presence. While gathered in her arms, the children listen attentively, though some are also delightfully distracted by playing with small toys. 

Crafted using traditional Cochiti Pueblo (Ko'tyit) methods, this piece features a classic color palette executed in warm reddish brown pigments and a soft grey slip, and noting the complete absence of dark black accents. The motifs across the figure's garments showcase repeating linear patterns and geometric shapes, traditional symbolism deeply tied to natural elements such as clouds, rain, and life-giving weather. Additionally, these intricate motifs pay homage to traditional Pueblo attire, evoking detailed beadwork, embroidery, or textile designs woven into the fabric itself. Complementing the overall design is a finely rendered Naja necklace draped around the neck, incorporating one of the most iconic and timeless motifs in Southwest Native American jewelry. This storyteller is signed M. Lewis Cochiti on the bottom.

A Deeper Look at Mary Lewis

Active as a ceramic artist since the 1980s, Mary Lewis is well known for her traditional Cochiti Pueblo (Ko'tyit) hand-coiled figurines and storytellers. She married into a distinguished lineage of Pueblo potters, becoming the wife of Elmer Lewis and the daughter-in-law of renowned artists Ivan and Rita Lewis.

Condition: good condition

Provenance: this Modern Female Storyteller with Four Children c. 1980s by Mary Lewis is from a client of Adobe Gallery.

Reference and Recommended Reading: Clay Mirror, From Monos to Storytellers: Reflections from Cochiti Pueblo by Tom & Charlotte Mittler

TAGS: Cochiti Pueblo, Pueblo Pottery, Ivan and Rita Lewis, Mary Lewis