Mimbres Turkey with an Elaborate Tail [SOLD]

Tony Da became enamored with the painting style of the prehistoric Mimbres Indians from southern New Mexico and used their style in many of his paintings.  His mom, Anita Da, said that Tony began using casein in the late 1950s and continued until the late 1960s.  After moving in with his grandmother, Maria Martinez, he began making pottery and did very little painting after 1972.

This painting is among the last that Tony did.  It is dated 1970.  By that time, he was well along in making pottery and became famous as a ceramicist almost immediately.  Although not a copy of a Mimbres turkey, it is quite close to the style.  See image #33 below of Mimbres turkey as seen in this book: The Mimbres Art and Archaeology by J. Walter Fewkes.

The background of the painting is splattered with multi-color paints.  The turkey is mostly black with a large diamond body. 

Condition: appears to be in original condition

Provenance: from the estate of a former client from upstate New York

Recommended Reading:

-        The Mimbres Art and Archaeology by J. Walter Fewkes

-        The Life and Art of Tony Da by Charles S. King