Skip to product information
1 of 8

Cleo Teissedre

Vintage 1989 Cleo Teissedre Native American Storyteller Quail

Vintage 1989 Cleo Teissedre Native American Storyteller Quail

Regular price $25.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $25.00 USD
Sale Sold out
Taxes included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Vintage, Old Store Stock. Cleo Teissedre of Tucson, AZ. It shows four small children riding on the back of a Quail Storyteller. The storyteller is an adaptation of centuries-old creations in figurine pottery. This little quail with children climbing on it is molded pottery and hand-painted, in a buff colored background with pinks and blues, making it a perfect little piece for new parents. Two children climb onto the quail while two others sit on its back. Item is hollow and there are two small marks next to center hole on bottom (see pictures for detail).

  • Height: 3 1/2 in
  • Width: 4 in
Hand painted. Buff, brown, black, and green. This would make a very nice addition to a collection of Southwest Storytellers.


All Photographs are Original and are not stock photos.

Storytellers first appeared in Native American pottery at Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico, in 1963, and represent the oral tradition of Indian culture. This non-traditional storyteller made with a quail instead of a mother or grandmother is wonderful in that quail are a Southwestern bird perhaps most associated with family, and certainly anyone who lives in the scrappy country that is native to bird has seen the courage of the quail, the protection and endearment of family.

Quail has many meanings in mythology, including in Greek legend where the jealous Hera turned Leto into a Quail; she was the mother of Apollo and Artemis, so the bird was associated with love and fierce protection of that love. Teissedre storytellers, even the small ones such as this, are highly collectible. This one is particularly uncommon being a quail.

Quail symbolism and meanings include Quail understands sharing, caring and stresses putting priorities in order. Focus on individuals near-and-dear to your heart. The Quail Power Animal refills your inner well. It directs your attention to people who re-energize you.

Cleo Teissedre was a well known artist from Tucson, AZ. She was born on Aug. 31, 1930 and passed away on June 25, 2020. She was known for producing Native American-style Navajo Storyteller Pottery pieces. Cleo’s Storytellers and figurines are very sought after. Signature on base and dated.

Items that I sell that are marked vintage, antique or collectible may show some signs of wear to the original boxes or original package when available. See pictures for detail. All of my items come from a smoke-free environment. I do combine shipping on multiple items.
View full details