Virginia Naranjo Bear Storyteller Figurine with Six Cubs [SOLD]

This storyteller bear was created by Cochiti Pueblo artist Virginia Naranjo. Virginia and her husband Louis, both of whom are now deceased, are known by pottery collectors for having been both skillful and playful with their work. Going beyond storytellers, they created pueblo dancers, padres, angels, mermaids, humorous depictions of tourists, Santa Claus figurines, and many other characters. With this figurine, Virginia—working solo at the time of the piece's creation—presented a Cochiti storyteller but replaced the typical human figures with bears.

Virginia's work with this piece is strong. The primary figure appears in bold black pigments, with cream slip forming the eyes and snout. Orange pigments appear inside its mouth and on the bottom of its hind paws. Six cubs appear, with a pair seated on each leg and one seated on each shoulder. With the exception of slight variations in size, they're identical, and their excited facial expressions are an absolute delight. The group as a whole forms a warm, appealing variation of a traditional style.

The bottom of the piece is signed Virginia Naranjo, Cochiti N.M.

Cochiti Pueblo artist Virginia Naranjo (1932-2014) was known for polychrome jars, bowls, Storytellers, Nativities, wall plaques and animal figurines. Virginia was the granddaughter of Juanita Romero; daughter of Salvador and Evaline Arquero; Niece of Juanita Arquero; daughter-in-law of Frances Naranjo Suina; wife of Louis Naranjo; mother of Mary Edna Trujillo and Pauline Naranjo. After Virginia suffered a stroke, she started collaborating with her husband Louis, which lasted until his death in 1997. Louis and Virginia Naranjo were standard-bearers for the proud figurative pottery tradition of Cochiti Pueblo. They crafted their figurines at their kitchen table in their comfortable adobe home at the pueblo. They worked almost every day crafting their art with great care, joking and exchanging the gossip of the day as they went along, accompanied by television, children and grandchildren. Their art provided a good life for them and it provided a legacy that will be with us for another century or more.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Virginia Naranjo Bear Storyteller Figurine with Six Cubs is from a private California collection

Reference: Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf

TAGS: Cochiti Pueblo, figurines, Juanita Arquero, Louis Naranjo, Pauline Naranjo, Louis and Virginia Naranjo