Lonewolf, Joseph – “Nuts” Squirrel and Butterflies Seedpot (1988)
$ 1,500.00
This is a very detailed small seedpot by Joseph Lonewolf from 1988. It is round in shape and fully polished. One side has a realistic squirrel with an acorn. Check out the details in the body and the tail! The squirrel is on a branch with very realistic leaves and an additional acorn. As the piece is turned, there is an additional feather design in the branches. There are also two realistic butterflies etched into the clay. The piece is highlighted with red, blue, and white clay slips. The entire piece is very intricate and tightly designed. Near the base is another realistic butterfly. Lonewolf writes, “the butterflies denote beauty in simplicity”. All the etching and colors were added before the piece was fired. The colors are derived from natural clay slips. There is the yearly symbol for 1988, which is a bear paw. It is signed on the bottom, “Joseph Lonewolf”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
Deciphered: The Yearly Symbols of Joseph Lonewolf
In stock
This is a very detailed small seedpot by Joseph Lonewolf from 1988. It is round in shape and fully polished. One side has a realistic squirrel with an acorn. Check out the details in the body and the tail! The squirrel is on a branch with very realistic leaves and an additional acorn. As the piece is turned, there is an additional feather design in the branches. There are also two realistic butterflies etched into the clay. The piece is highlighted with red, blue, and white clay slips. The entire piece is very intricate and tightly designed. Near the base is another realistic butterfly. Lonewolf writes, “the butterflies denote beauty in simplicity”. All the etching and colors were added before the piece was fired. The colors are derived from natural clay slips. There is the yearly symbol for 1988, which is a bear paw. It is signed on the bottom, “Joseph Lonewolf”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
Brand
Lonewolf, Joseph (1932-2014)
Joseph Lonewolf
Joseph Lonewolf was a son of noted potters Camilio and Agapita Tafoya and the brother of Grace Medicine Flower. In the early 1970s, Joseph revolutionized the world of Santa Clara pottery by incorporating his sgraffito (lightly etching the surface of the clay) and incised (more deeply cut into the clay) designs in his work.
When Joseph and his family gather clay, they do it with the utmost respect. Before the clay can be taken from Mother Earth, they must say a prayer, asking to take the clay and tell the clay mother that they will take her and make her into a beautiful pot. The clay is brought home, and water is added to turn the clay into a liquid form known as slip. The slip is then strained to take out any rocks or debris, and then the clay can be dried, kneaded, and used.
Joseph was awarded numerous awards throughout his career, and his work can be found in museums worldwide. He has been featured in multiple books, including "The Art of Clay." He received the prestigious New Mexico Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in 2009 and the SWAIA Lifetime Achievement Award.