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Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2020 School for Advanced Research.

Figurine, turtle

Photograph by Addison Doty. Copyright 2020 School for Advanced Research.

Figurine, turtle

Date: c. 1984
Artist or Maker: Stella Teller (b. 1929)
Dimensions:
Dimensions: 6.5 × 9 × 8 cm (2 9/16 × 3 9/16 × 3 1/8 in.)
Weight: 0.2 kg (0.35 lb.)
Medium: clay | paints | turquoise
Credit Line: Bequeathed by Estelle Rebec; recieved at IARC in 2006.
Object Number: SAR.2007-1-416
Not on view
DescriptionThis is a ceramic turtle standing on four legs. On his back is a geometric design in tan, brown and grey. Circling the design is a chain of heishi urquoise beads. It has painted eyes and mouth and painted designs on legs and tail.
Tribal Collection Review RemarksAccording to the participants in the Isleta collection review visit March 17, 2022 (Events Record “Collection Review: Isleta Collection Review 1"): The gray slip on this turtle figurine is an early example of the artist Stella Teller’s experimenting with making the color gray. The brown slip color was achieved by combining red slip with the clay sourced from Isleta Pueblo. The turtle has a heishi necklace attached to its shell which came from either San Felipe Pueblo or Santo Domingo Pueblo. This was attached post firing. Stella believes she made this in the early 1990s.
In Collection(s)
The Indian Arts Research Center, in collaboration with Native American community scholars, strives to present accurate collections records. Records may be updated as new information becomes available and is reviewed with the Native American community having cultural affinity to particular items. Please write to iarc@sarsf.org if you have questions or concerns related to the documentation.