Native American Storytellers
The forerunners of storyteller pottery figures were called “mother singers”, featuring females singing pueblo heritage to the children. Therefore, while we call this a “storyteller”, it may be more appropriate to call it a “mother singer” It is a maiden wearing a turquoise necklace. She holds babes in her arms while another looks on from behind over shoulder. She is wearing a skirt simulated in pottery. Simulated brown legging boots extend in front of her.
Mary and her husband also experimented with natural slips and colors that could give Mary’s pottery an unmistakable signature. A blue/gray slip and a burnt red/orange palette emerged. This combination and Mary’s exceptional talent at form and design, became the stuff of which led to repeated awards and two designations as Indian Arts and Crafts Association Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2010.
Jemez Mary Small pottery storyteller. 4"H x 3 1/4" deep. ~ PM34S
$310.00
Native American Jemez Pueblo pottery storyteller, female with 3 children by Mary Small
The forerunners of storyteller pottery figures were called “mother singers”, featuring females singing pueblo heritage to the children. Therefore, while we call this a “storyteller”, it may be more appropriate to call it a “mother singer” It is a maiden wearing a turquoise necklace. She holds babes in her arms while another looks on from behind over shoulder. She is wearing a skirt simulated in pottery. Simulated brown legging boots extend in front of her.
Mary Small came into the Sun Clan at Jemez Pueblo in July, 1940. Her mother, Perfectita Toya, introduced her to the traditional way of making pueblo pottery when Mary was about 8 years old.
Surrounded by Jemez pottery that had fallen on days of inferior quality, Mary worked with younger Jemez potters to encourage standards of excellence and pottery of which Jemez could be proud.
Mary and her husband also experimented with natural slips and colors that could give Mary’s pottery an unmistakable signature. A blue/gray slip and a burnt red/orange palette emerged. This combination and Mary’s exceptional talent at form and design, became the stuff of which led to repeated awards and two designations as Indian Arts and Crafts Association Artist of the Year in 2002 and 2010.
4"H, 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" #PM34
Please Note: For a limited time, our normal fee for packing and shipping will be absorbed by Native-PotteryLink, resulting in free shipping to any address within the 48 mainland United States. Shipping to other destinations may be arranged by emailing Sanibelart@gmail.com.
