Gerardo Ortega Folk Art Bull from Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico - 10.25" H X 12" L X 5.25" W

Gerardo Ortega is a master figural ceramist with a style of his own. His specialty includes happy, brightly colored animals whether they be dogs, cats, bulls, monkeys or roosters.  

This decorative hand-painted folk art piece is of a large bull with rider and is adorned with 64 handcrafted flowers each affixed with clay wire. The vibrant colors used include turquoise, terracotta, blue, bright yellow, and light green and it is signed 'Ortega' on the base. 

Gerardo, along with his brothers Oscar and Junior, create these fun and colorful figures of clay and follow their grandmother in the traditional Barro Betus technique where glazed pottery is burnished with the resin of Betula birch trees mixed with egg whites to achieve the high gloss patina. His work can be found both in museums and fine private folk art collections.   

This one-of-a-kind piece of art would work well in interior settings from Southwestern and Folk Art, to Boho and Scandinavian.  

Place of Origin: Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico   

Date of Manufacture: 1980s  

Condition: Excellent 

Wear: Please refer to pictures. 

Dimensions: 10.25 in. H X 12 in. L X 5.25 in. W 

Reference:

Arts & Crafts of Mexico, Chloë Sayer

The Spirit of Folk Art, Henry Glassie 

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