Lonewolf, Joseph – “Birds of Prey” Seedpot (1995)

2 1/16"w x 2 1/16"h

$ 7,000.00

This exceptional seedpot by Joseph Lonewolf is from 1995.  The piece is entitled, “Birds of Prey”.  It includes the story card which Joseph made for each of his miniatures.  Joseph wrote partially of this piece,

“Meticulously designed and colored to perfection are two large birds of prey, a Golden Eagle and a Bald Eagle.  Both eagles adorn the front side.  Depicted in bust form, the Golden Eagle seems to be staring at something with his sharp vision.  Portrayed in the foreground is a Bald Eagle.  Behind the eagles is a highly polished red slip that encompasses all surfaces of this pottery.  Sketched and cream colored on the back side is an open winged butterfly symbolic of beauty.  A medallion depicting a side view positioned geometric designed fish.  Directly above the winged beauty and medallioned fish is a side view open beaked eaglet depicted in bust form”

This piece is perfectly polished. This period of Joseph’s work, he would etch away the clay to create realistic animals.  On the two eagles, note the eyes and the feathers, which are very intricate for the size.  All the various colors are derived from natural clay slips.  There is a painterly style to his sgraffito designs.  The intricacy of the two birds is perfectly in contrast to the simplicity of the highly polished red clay slip.  Beginning in the early 1970’s, Joseph Lonewolf 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.  The piece is signed on the bottom and includes the signed artist card.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.