This piece by Anita Fields is an amazing combination of clay, cloth, and articulation.  The clay “doll” has separate arms and legs which have been joined together inside the body.  They are articulated so that they actually move!  The body of the figure and the chair are two separate pieces.  Anita has added the cloth dress onto the figure.  The clothing and “doll-like” nature of the figure are an important part of the stories told by Anita in her pottery art:

“Anita was influenced by traditional Osage ribbon work, clothing, and blankets. She also studied the objects and ceremonial dress of other tribes. The personal and emotional elements in these textile designs led Anita to use them symbolically in clay, translating the personality of these vestments into her work. About one of her recent series, Native American Dresses, which are coil-and slab-built installations, Anita says: “The dresses convey my attitudes toward the strength of women and how native peoples show remarkable resourcefulness and adaptability toward their environment. The clothing Indian women created shows great pride, dignity, and hope in a culture facing insurmountable odds.”  

It is an exceptional piece combining culture and clay together.   It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.