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Description

Ceramic figure of a female storyteller. She is depicted sitting, with her legs stretched out straight in front of her, and holding seven children in her arms. Four children are sitting on her lap, three are clinging to her shoulders and right arm, and one is on the back of her head. All figures are pink-brown. She has a smooth circular face and rosy cheeks. Has triangular eyes, a thin and pointed nose, and round open mouth; eyes, nostrils and brows are done in black, mouth is dark red. Black hair, done in relief, wraps around top, back and sides of head; large bun protrudes from back, with a red hair tie wrapped around it. She is wearing tall boots, a long-sleeved dress, necklace and rings. Boots are white with beige trim, highlighted with dark red; grey lines and turquoise diamond motifs throughout. Necklace consists of turquoise beads with grey fringe extending from the beads; rings are also turquoise. Dress is mostly black with turquoise, red and grey geometric motifs throughout. The chest and sleeves are beige with dark red and turquoise motifs; collar is dark red. The children all have black hair and rosy cheeks; facial features all done in black. Their eyes are triangular, noses are dots, and mouths are a mix of lines and diamonds. They are all wearing beige outfits with an assortment of black and dark red decorations. A majority of them have their hands raised to their faces. One of the children being held by the storyteller, in the front centre, is holding a block with the letter "A" on it. Artist signature painted on bottom of storyteller, with pencil inscriptions around it.

Iconographic Meaning

Storyteller figures are made by the Pueblo peoples of New Mexico. They usually show a man or woman with their mouth open, surrounded by children listening to the storyteller.