Ortiz, Seferina – Large Grandfather Storyteller with Four Kids (1980s)

Seferina Ortiz was the matriarch of a family of renowned potters, including Virgil Ortiz, Janice Ortiz, Inez Ortiz, and Lisa Holt. This is one of the larger storytellers we have had of her work.  It is from the early 1980s and is very detailed in the painted design.  The grandfather is holding two children and two are on his feet.  One of the girls is holding a doll.  The vest and tie are both sculpted in the clay, as is his bandana!  It is certainly one her more complicated pieces.  Note how each child is painted with different shirts.  As well, check out the back of the grandfather’s vest!  There is a hummingbird painted on the back.  The figure is slipped with white clay and then painted with a red clay slip and wild spinach (black).  The piece is signed on the bottom, “Seferina Ortiz”.  It was traditionally fired and in very good condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.  Definitely a classic figure by this historically important potter!