Cochiti Pueblo Figure (tactile)

Synopsis

Late 19th century; possibly by Seferina Sevenna; ceramic; 31 cm high by 15 cm wide and 8 cm deep. This standing adult male figure is typical of the pottery made by the Cochiti Pueblo (pronounced Coh-chee-tee pway-bloh) Native American people in the second half of the 19th century. The figure is from New Mexico, USA, from a village near Santa Fe called Cochiti. These figures were made as souvenirs, and many were sold by Cochiti traders who stood beside the track at the railway station selling them to tourists. In the 1890s a figure like this might have been bought for a quarter (25 cents). Now highly collectable they can sell for several thousand dollars. This figure may possibly have been made by the famous potter Seferina Sevenna. The figures were humorous and often wear waistcoats. They stand with hands on hips, head thrown back, mouths wide open, either singing or telling a story. Cochiti pottery is distinguished by frequent use of animal and human shapes. Designs were often black on red or creamy coloured clay. Some were as tall as 50 cm or more. The traditions of the Cochiti including pottery, drum making, basketry and carving shell and turquoise ornaments have been revived in recent decades. One of the most popular pieces today is the Storyteller figure, which was revived in 1964 by Helen Cordero. It comprises a seated man with a number of children on his arms and lap. Animal figures such as turtles, birds, frogs and lizards are also common. This adult male figure has a simple and naive shape, fashioned in a creamy white Cochiti white slip with body details and costume over painted in black. The figure stands with its legs apart, hands on hips with arms arching out like the handle on a tea cup. The hands have four fingers and no thumbs. It has a straight body, thick neck and a flattened head that is tipped slightly backwards. The mouth is wide open and reveals the hollow interior of the figure. The nose and eyes are raised slightly off the surface with the eyes looking upwards. Simple ears are modelled on the side of the head, both of which have areas chipped off. On the front of the figure the black decoration outlines the eyes, nose and mouth. The feet are black to represent black leather moccasins. Around the top of the thighs is a zigzag pattern with a line above which probably represents traditional Native American leggings. The body is covered by what looks like a black waistcoat with three pockets. Lines run down the arms and around the neck. The top most line around the neck also has 5 short vertical lines from it. This probably represents a necklace. Men and women often wore elaborate necklaces made from silver and turquoise. On the centre of the back is a simple tree or cactus shape (trunk with three branches off each side) and on the back of the head is an oval with 4 vertical lines inside, probably representing hair. The tactile image consists of two pages and shows the front and back views. The images are two thirds the size of the actual figure. A thick line outlines the shape of the figure with a texture for the undecorated grey surface. Solid texture shows the black decoration with hollows for the eyes and mouth.

Copyright:

2011

Book Details

Book Quality:

Excellent

Publisher:

RNIB

Date of Addition:

04/12/17

Copyrighted By:

RNIB

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

Art and Architecture

Submitted By:

Sarah Bennett

Proofread By:

N/A

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.