Mata Ortiz Pottery

Mata Ortiz potters from the tiny village of Mata Ortiz in Chihuahua, Mexico produce their wares in the traditional ways their ancestors did centuries ago. For more information about Mata Ortiz Pottery click here.

Wedding Vase from Mata Ortiz
by Jesus Oliva

The traditional wedding vase is one of the most lovely shapes from the Mata Ortiz artisans. The multicolor geometric design is meticulously painted and very graceful.

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A wide assortment of other Mata Ortiz styles are available in both blackware and polychrome finishes by various artists. Please call our gallery toll free at 888-276-1553 for descriptions and availability.

Cielito Lindo Estudio

In a small studio in central Mexico, a young husband and wife partnership creates delightful folk art images that reflect the wry humor, satirical wit, and powerful traditions which permeate the Mexican psyche.

Combining the traditional tin nichos found in Mexican homes with found objects, milagros, wood carvings, and bright Mexican colors, Anke de Madrazo and Jose Antonio Madrazo Galvez have created a unique art form that is at once both personal and universal.

Guadalupe Nicho

The people of Mexico hold the Virgin of Guadalupe in great reverence. She is often called the Queen of Mexico. This tin shadow box is beautifully painted in lovely green and yellow details on a gold background.

10"T x 8"W x 1.5"D. $68.00.

Arpilleras are three dimensional appliquéd pictures that tell the story of life in Peru. This one is a market scene.

18 inches square. $76.00

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Vintage Buddha
Burma

This lovely vintage small hand carved wooden Buddha has a beautifully delicate expressive face and seated in the "touching the earth" mudra position. We think that it's from the early 20th century.

4.75T" x 3"W x 1.5"D. $64.00

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Tagua Nut Blue and Orange Bird

Panama

Carved by the Wounaan & Embera Indians of the Darien Rainforest in Panama, these tagua nut carvings help conserve rare and endangered species by providing an incentive to protect rainforest habitat. The tagua nuts from the tropical palm fall to the forest floor when they mature and are harvested by hand. The artisans carve them with hand tools and polish them with a series of fine abrasives.

The natural color of the nut is ivory white with a dark brown skin. Additional colors are created by dying the tagua with natural extracts of plants and earth, using the traditional methods for dying basket fibers. Details are sometimes added using high quality India inks.

3.25”T x 2.25”W x 2.25”D.  $248.00

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Tagua Nut Parrot

Panama

Carved by the Wounaan & Embera Indians of the Darien Rainforest in Panama, these tagua nut carvings help conserve rare and endangered species by providing an incentive to protect rainforest habitat. The tagua nuts from the tropical palm fall to the forest floor when they mature and are harvested by hand. The artisans carve them with hand tools and polish them with a series of fine abrasives.

The natural color of the nut is ivory white with a dark brown skin. Additional colors are created by dying the tagua with natural extracts of plants and earth, using the traditional methods for dying basket fibers. Details are sometimes added using high quality India inks.

2.75”T x 1.25”W x 1.5 ”D.  $112.00

Russian Dolls
Galina Maslennikova

Galina Maslennikova offers an enchanting glimpse back in time to traditional Russian farm life with her handcrafted dolls. Her dolls bring to life images of Russian peasants with their authentic traditional costumes.

With linen and wool shawls from Pavlova Posad, brightly painted musical instruments, thick woolen felt boots and hand-woven shoes, Galena’s creative details invoke the unique flavor of Russian folk tales and turn of the century customs.

Male Doll: 13.5"T

$98.00. (stand not included)

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Hand Amulets

The hand amulet is regarded as a protective talisman in many parts of the world. In the Middle East and Central Asia it is a powerful protector against “the evil eye”, believed to be the source of misfortune and illness and other problems. It is thought to bring its owner good fortune and to endow them with the virtues of patience and faithfulness. There is a similar Jewish tradition. The Hindu version in India, called the Humsa Hand, is often referred to as the” All-seeing eye of Mercy. In other areas, it is regarded as a “helping hand”, a symbol of friendship and a bringer of wealth.

Hand Pendant Talisman

Designed and cast by Northern California jeweler, William Lindenau, these hand talismans combine the symbolism of many different cultures. With its origins in the Middle East, the hand is believed to protect one from the power of the Evil Eye which can bring bad luck and illness; the finger tips contain the Native American symbols for the sun, moon, star and Eye of God; in the center is the Ying Yang symbol representing balance and harmony or the lotus flower representing enlightenment.

Each pendant is sterling silver and comes with its own 18" sterling box chain and story card. $34.00 each.

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Virgin de la Soledad Retablo