Lonewolf, Joseph – Mini Black Jar with Two Mimbres Insects (1979)
$ 1,200.00
This is a small seed jar by Joseph Lonewolf. The piece is fully polished and fired black. Joseph always made fewer black pieces than he made redware. The jar is from 1979. There are two Mimbres insects etched into the clay. Do you notice something different about the background? In 1978-9, Joseph used a clay that had mica in it, and it created the “sparkle” in the area that was etched away. From what I have seen, he only used it on smaller pieces, and specifically those fired black. It may well have been a way to create more focus on the design on black pieces without adding more color. The jar is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Joseph Lonewolf”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
I think what collectors saw and recognized was his special relationship with Clay Woman, the spirit who lives in the clay. His belief and respect for her allowed him to tap into his own creative energy, that inexplicable ‘groove’ that every artist seeks but only sometimes reaches. These two elements, Dad’s energy combined with Clay Woman to form these incredible pieces, so alive and realistic that you expected the images to walk right off the pots.” Rosemary Lonewolf, Spoken Through Clay
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This is a large seedpot by Joseph Lonewolf. The piece is fully polished and fired black. Joseph always made fewer black pieces than he made redware. The seepot is from1977. There are nine Mimbres-inspired lizards as the design. Each one is a different style of lizard and they are highlighted with additional designs. The designs are etched into the backs of the lizards. The background matte area is fully etched in ver vertical manner, as if they were crawling on sand! It is wonderfully detailed and creative. The seedpot is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Joseph Lonewolf”. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair.
I think what collectors saw and recognized was his special relationship with Clay Woman, the spirit who lives in the clay. His belief and respect for her allowed him to tap into his own creative energy, that inexplicable ‘groove’ that every artist seeks but only sometimes reaches. These two elements, Dad’s energy combined with Clay Woman to form these incredible pieces, so alive and realistic that you expected the images to walk right off the pots.”
—ROSEMARY LONEWOLF, Spoken Through Clay
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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.