Romero, Marie – “Old Woman and the Shoe” Storyteller with 15 Kids (1980s)

Marie Romero was one of the great traditional matriarchal potters from Jemez Pueblo. She learned to make pottery from her mother, Persingula Gachupin, and influenced her daughters Laura Gachupin and Maxine Toya.  This is one of famous, “Old Woman and the Shoe” storyteller figures.  For this piece, the shoe has been replaced with a Pueblo moccasin.  There are 15 kids on the piece, each in a different pose.  There are two “windows” looking out from the inside with the children in them.  It is charming and very creative piece! The piece is made with native clay and painted with native clay slips.  Marie had a wonderful way to capture Pueblo culture in her pottery.  This piece is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

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