Cochiti Pueblo Storyteller with Five Children [SOLD]

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Rita Lewis, Cochiti Pueblo Potter

Ivan Lewis (1919 - 2001) and Rita Lewis (1920-1991) were major artisans at Cochiti Pueblo. Ivan, who learned pottery making from his famous mother, Lucy Lewis of Acoma, married Rita in 1944 and moved to Cochiti where he spent the remainder of his life. Rita learned the art from her famous pottery-making mother, Ascencion Banada.

Rita Lewis (1920-1991) signatureIvan and Rita often collaborated as a pottery-making team. They started making storytellers around 1973 and quickly became collectible artisans.  Each of them made pottery singly and signed only their own name.  This storyteller is signed Rita Lewis.  It was collected in the 1980s, probably shortly after it was made.

The adult is seated with her arms hanging by her side.  She is dressed in an elaborate dress, wears a nugget necklace with a shell pendant, has her eyes closed and her mouth open.  The five children appear to be all dressed as boys and they cling to the adult in front and back.

 

Condition: this Cochiti Pueblo Storyteller with Five Children is in very good condition with a minor scratch on left foot

Provenance: from the collection of a client from Albuquerque who had provided us over 100 storyteller figurines two years ago for our exhibit.

Recommended Reading:  The Pueblo Storyteller: Development of a Figurative Ceramic Tradition by Barbara Babcock Ph.D.