Lonewolf, Joseph – “Double Headed Lizard” Relief Carved Seedpot (1984)
$ 2,900.00
Joseph Lonewolf began making pottery in 1970-1. This is an exceptional piece of his pottery from 1984. The seedpot is coil-built and then both carved and etched. What is amazing is how he was able to carve designs into various levels of clay to create the imagery on the piece. The top level is a double-headed lizard. The lizard is slipped with green clay. Did you know that the green clay has copper in it, and that is what makes it green? It is sitting on top of four sculpted flowers. The petals of each flower are etched away and slipped with blue, white, or red clay. The center of each flower is also etched with small circles! As the piece is turned, there is a lizard “footprint” polished red. It is then etched and highlighted with white and green clays. There is the yearly symbol for 1984 in a medallion the base. The symbol for 1984 is a rainbow. It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Joseph Lonewolf”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair. Definitely a unique and creative piece of Joseph’s pottery!
Deciphered: The Yearly Symbols of Joseph Lonewolf
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Joseph Lonewolf began making pottery in 1970-1. This is an exceptional piece of his pottery from 1984. The seedpot is coil-built and then both carved and etched. What is amazing is how he was able to carve designs into various levels of clay to create the imagery on the piece. The top level is a double-headed lizard. The lizard is slipped with green clay. Did you know that the green clay has copper in it, and that is what makes it green? It is sitting on top of four sculpted flowers. The petals of each flower are etched away and slipped with blue, white, or red clay. The center of each flower is also etched with small circles! As the piece is turned, there is a lizard “footprint” polished red. It is then etched and highlighted with white and green clays. There is the yearly symbol for 1984 in a medallion the base. The symbol for 1984 is a rainbow. It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Joseph Lonewolf”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair. Definitely a unique and creative piece of Joseph’s pottery!
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.