Set of Gerardo Ortega Brightly Painted Mexican Folk Art Monkey & Dog Candleholders - 10.75" H X 8.5" L X 3.25" 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, monkeys or roosters.  

This decorative set includes 2 separate hand-painted folk art pieces of monkeys playing guitars riding atop 2 dogs. The first piece is a brownish/terracotta-colored dog on top of a dark blue base. Riding on the dog's back is a monkey with a green guitar, a yellow hat and a fuchsia candleholder on its back. The second piece is a yellow-colored dog on top of a bright turquoise base. Riding on the dog's back is a monkey with a red guitar, a light green hat, and a yellow candleholder on its back. Both are signed 'Ortega' on each 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 set of vibrantly colored and playful folk art would work well in interior settings from Southwestern... to Folk Art and Boho.  

Place of Origin: Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico  

Date of Manufacture: 1990s  

Condition: Excellent 

Wear: Near perfect. Please refer to pictures. 

Dimensions:  

Figurines: 10.75 in. H X 8.5 in. L X 3.25 in. W (each/approx.) 

Bases: 5.75 in. L X 3 in. W X .38 in. H (each/approx.) 

Reference:

Arts & Crafts of Mexico, Chloë Sayer

The Spirit of Folk Art, Henry Glassie 

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