Cat Storyteller | Rare Mary Rose Toya Jemez Pueblo – Klattenhoff House Estate

An extraordinary offering for collectors of fine Native American pottery, this authentic, hand-coiled clay sculpture is a rare masterpiece by revered Jemez Pueblo artisan Mary Rose Toya (b. 1936). While highly celebrated for her intricate geometric slip-painted vessels, this rare foray into a figurative storyteller sculpture represents a significant and scarce find for the market. Measuring approximately 3.5" long by 3.5" tall, this captivating miniature features an expressive mother cat cradling a kitten, while two additional playful kittens cling to her back and side. Hand-sculpted from natural New Mexico clays and detailed with rich mineral pigments, it retains the immaculate, original matte finish and precise fine-line features typical of elite mid-to-late 20th-century pueblo art. Impeccable provenance distinguishes this piece, originating directly from the curated estate collection of the landmark 1896 Klattenhoff House. As a beautifully preserved heirloom from this historic homestead, its documented lineage offers an uncompromised guarantee of authenticity. Because each traditional pueblo figure is handbuilt without molds, this configuration is completely one-of-a-kind and currently stands as the only example available on the market. Signed by the artist.