Seated Female Figurine with 5 Children [SOLD]

Mary Martin, who passed away in 2011, was one of the potters who specialized in making storyteller figurines.  According to Barbara Babcock in her book The Pueblo Storyteller, Mary Martin made her first one in 1974.

This seated female is dressed in the traditional pueblo dress that is over one shoulder and under the other one.  She wears a squash blossom necklace, a blouse with floral print, and white moccasins.  Her eyes are closed and her mouth open.  There are five children attached.  The child on her right shoulder is holding a black bear, the girl on her right leg has her hands over her ears, the boy next to her has a hand over one eye, the next boy riding on her lower arm has his hands clasped, and the last boy, who is on her left shoulder, holds a drum. 

This storyteller is signed Mary Martin Cochiti Pueblo (1984) on the underside.  Her Native American name was Tsiranitsia.

Condition: this Seated Female Figurine with 5 Children is in very good condition

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

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