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ProvenanceBonhams and Butterfields, San Francisco, California, Lot #6135, June 2008
BibliographyFognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 251.
Artist
Helen Cordero
(1915 - 1994, Cochiti)
Storyteller Figure
Datec. 1970
MediumClay, pigments
DimensionsOverall: 9 × 4 1/4 × 7 1/4 in. (22.9 × 10.8 × 18.4 cm)
Object numberT0852
Credit LineGift of Eugene Victor Thaw Art Foundation
Photograph by Richard Walker
Label TextHelen Cordero’s grandfather, Santiago Quintana, was a gifted and famous storyteller at the Cochiti Pueblo and was the inspiration for her Storyteller Figures. Helen Cordero began creating Storyteller Figures in 1964. She inspired many other area potters to revive this form. In this figure the Storyteller’s eyes are closed in thought and his mouth is open in song. The small child nestled in his lap conceals his face behind his hands, perhaps in surprise or fright. Storytelling and songs are important traditional ways of passing on cultural knowledge and a good storyteller is held in high esteem.ProvenanceBonhams and Butterfields, San Francisco, California, Lot #6135, June 2008
BibliographyFognell, Eva and Alexander Brier Marr, eds. Art of the North American Indians: The Thaw Collection at the Fenimore Art Museum, 2nd ed. Cooperstown, New York: Fenimore Art Museum, 2016, p. 251.
On View
On viewc. 1920
