MARY MARTIN Female Storyteller Figurine with Five Children

Cochiti Pueblo artist Mary Martin made this female pottery storyteller figurine in 1982, as she signed and dated it at the time. It is a female with 5 children.  In traditional storyteller fashion, the adult has her mouth open in song or story and eyes closed in thought.  The children each seem to be occupied in their own activities.  The adult is wearing a dress that is decorated with orange floral designs, and she has a squash blossom necklace hanging around her neck.  One child is holding an empty bowl.

The figurine is signed and dated 1982.  We purchased it from Mary Martin (1927-2011) Tsiranitsia at that time, sold it to a client in Texas, who consigned it back in 2002, at which time we sold it to the current owner from whom we now have it back. 

Condition: this MARY MARTIN Female Storyteller Figurine with Five Children is in original condition with one minor spall mark on a child’s head.

Provenance: from the extensive collection of pottery figurines by a family from Texas, most of which were purchased from Adobe Gallery in the 1980s and 1990s.

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

TAGS Cochiti Pueblo, figurative pottery, storyteller figurines, Stephanie Rhoades - Snowflake Flower, Ada Suina, Felecita Eustace, Mary Martin, Cochiti Pueblo Potter