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.  He was the first potter to begin making bronzes of his work in 1974.  “Territorial Rights” is his first bronze and was featured in the book, “The Pottery Jewels of Joseph Lonewolf” (see attached photos).  The bronze plate features a longhorn skull and a quail.  It was cast at the Dell Weston Foundry in Santa Fe.  Joseph wrote of this piece:

“Joseph decided to create a bronze plate because it was a type of work he had never tried before and he thought it would be interesting to try and do something in bronze.  The bronze is a 12 inch plate done in bas relief in a natural wildlife scene.  It depicts a male quail standing on a longhorn skull among a weed patch.  The male quail is singing out his song to proclaim his territorial rights.  Therefore the name of the bronze plate is “Territorial Rights”.  There will only be sixteen of these plates made and the mold will be destroyed.  The first six of the issue are already presold sight unseen.  The original plate Jospeh carved out of clay and the mold was taken from this”.

This plate is 2/16.  It is in excellent condition.  I believe the entire edition of this bronze was fully cast.

Casting Clay: The Bronze Works of Joseph Lonewolf 1974-80