Polychrome Turtle Figurine from San Ildefonso [SOLD]

San Ildefonso Pueblo has a tradition of black-on-red pottery from the historic period and Russell Sanchez has incorporated that tradition into this turtle figurine.  The ring around the turtle’s shell has a background of black and an Avanyu design of red.  The black background has been chipped away to form texture and the red design has been stone polished.  The top of the turtle’s shell is covered in a stone-polished green slip, which is a natural material, not a commercial product.  The turtle’s feet, neck and tail are the natural clay without slip or polish. 

Two rows of high quality shell and turquoise hieshe are imbedded into the clay between the green and red colors.  A single beautiful Black-web Kingman turquoise stone is in place on the top of the turtle’s back.  Blue-web Kingman turquoise cabs were used for the eyes of the Avanyu and turtle.

The artist, Russell Sanchez, said that the feet and neck of the turtle are part of the overall formation of the figurine and not added to the dome as separate items.  This result is that the feet and neck are much stronger than if they had been added as separate items. 

Recommended Reading:  Art of Clay: Timeless Pottery of the Southwest by Lee Cohen

Condition: new

Provenance: from the artist