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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 a circular container. Three children are sitting on her legs, one is holding her left hip and she has three children balanced on each arm. All figures are white. She has a smooth circular face, with a thin pointed nose and round open mouth. Her eyes are painted closed; done in black, mouth is dark pink. Black hair is painted along the top, back and sides of her head; two buns protrude from either side, with pink hair ties wrapped around them. There is a butterfly on the side of her left bun. She is wearing tall boots, a long-sleeved dress, and necklace. Boots are white with black soles and black line decorations. Necklace consists of pink beads with matching fringe extending from the beads; inverted "U" pendant in centre of necklace. Dress is mostly black with white scalloped trim along the bottom edge. Sleeves, pointed collar and upper left section of dress are white. Sleeves are trimmed with black and pink stripes. Wrapped around her waist is a pink belt, that ties on the right side, with black geometric designs throughout. The container she is holding is white with a small circular opening in the top centre; animals motifs painted across surface, in black. The children all have black hair; boys have short hair, girls have braids. Their eyes consist of curved lines and mouths are oval-shaped. They are wearing an assortment of outfits, consisting of overalls, buttoned shirts, vests and short-sleeved shirts; done in black, orange, pink and white. A majority of the children have their hands stretched towards the storyteller's container. One child, sitting on the storyteller's left leg, is holding a small black bird. Artist signature painted on base of figure.

Narrative

Purchased by the donor from "Chimayo Trading Post", New Mexico, in 2016.

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.