Lonewolf, Joseph – “Mimbres Cricket” Seedpot (1997)
$ 1,500.00
This seedpot by Joseph Lonewolf is from 1997. The piece is entitled, “Mimbres Cricket”. It includes a signed version of the card which Joseph made for each of his miniatures. This piece was actually made for our show at the gallery with Joseph and Grace Medicine Flower in 1998. Joseph wrote partially of this piece:
“Portrayed from a side view is a cricket representative of the Mimbres Period – 10th to 14th centuries. The cricket – an insect related to the locust and grasshopper, but usually having long antennae – appears to be leaping in mid-air. Beneath the Mimbres cricket is highly polished red slipwork (Mother Earth) which encompasses the extreme front, partial sides, back side and a portion of the top.”
The butterfly is symbolic of beauty and the the interlocking rings medallion represents the attachment between friends and was the yearly symbol for 1997. 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.
Out of stock
This seedpot by Joseph Lonewolf is from 1997. The piece is entitled, “Mimbres Cricket”. It includes a signed version of the card which Joseph made for each of his miniatures. This piece was actually made for our show at the gallery with Joseph and Grace Medicine Flower in 1998. Joseph wrote partially of this piece,
“Portrayed from a side view is a cricket representative of the Mimbres Period – 10th to 14th centuries. The cricket – an insect related to the locust and grasshopper, but usually having long antennae – appears to be leaping in mid-air. Beneath the Mimbres cricket is highly polished red slipwork (Mother Earth) which encompasses the extreme front, partial sides, back side and a portion of the top.”
The butterfly is symbolic of beauty and the the interlocking rings medallion represents the attachment between friends and was the yearly symbol for 1997. 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.
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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.