THE ORIGIN OF STORYTELLER DOLLS

S T O R Y T E L L E R  D O L L S   by  Nancy Diodati

Storyteller dolls by Nancy Diodati

I always loved storyteller dolls and being curious about history, when I began to make these little figures myself, I researched the origin of these creations so I would not offend the culture they came from.

I discovered storytellers were first created in Cochiti Pueblo by a woman named Helen Cordero. Her people have always been famous for their destinctive pottery which features black designs painted over white clay.  Most of the pottery they made was utilitarian-pots, bowls, etc. Some times they would make figures for ceremonial purposes.  One common figure was a mother holding a child, known as the "singing mother."  The mother's mouth was open signifiying her singing a lullaby to her baby.

 Helen had a grandfather, Santiago Quintana, who was renowned in his own right. He had many grandchildren who would climb all over him begging him to tell them a story.  He almost never refused. He told them tales of his pueblo people, and would make up stories as well.

In 1964, Helen made a clay figure representing her grandfather with children on his lap. A folk art collector suggested she add even more children. So Helen made children climbing up grandfather's braids, peaking over his shoulders, and sliding down his arms. The figure was much larger than the children showing his great influence.  Helen never called the little ones children.  They were "listeners."  The listeners were even more important then the grandfather figure because she said, "Wisdom enters the world not by the one speaking, but because it was heard." She left the figures with their mouth open to let out the stories and she left the eyes closed because her storyteller was thinking of the next thing in the story.

Grandfather Storyteller

by Helen Cordera



She made many versions of her grandfather storyteller. Then she began to make grandmother storytellers and later animal storytellers especially turtles.  Helen passed away in 1994 and her dolls are now sought by collectors and bring in quite a bit of money. This owl figure is a recent find of Helen's currently available in an Arizona shop for a meer $7,500.

Cochiti Owl Storyteller Pot
by Helen Cordero
6" wide x 8-1/2" high x 6" Deep
This owl pot is in EXCELLENT condition.

$7,500.00

Lots of people, native and otherwise, make storyteller dolls incorporating their own ideas and beliefs. There is a 5th grade class from Fairland Elementary School in Maryland that has been making ceramic dolls a part of their curriculum.

Sometimes I hand make my dolls from clay and sometimes I use ceramic molds with different children. I started teaching children as young as 2 years old to make storytellers dolls.  Children are never too young to learn cultural history.  I think it helps make people understand each other when they learn traditions of others so young. Each doll has a story to tell and each child has a doll to express their story.

Grandmother Storyteller with 2 Children

by Nancy Diodati

You can see a few of my own storyteller dolls.