Gerardo Ortega Folk Art House/Casita from Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico - 5.25" H X 7" W X 6.63" D

Gerardo Ortega is a master figural ceramist with a style of his own. His specialty includes happy, brightly colored sculptures whether they be animals, masks, boats or buildings.  

This decorative hand-painted folk art piece is of a house/casita featuring 3 windows and 1 door. In the front of the house there is a man, a woman, 1 hen and 4 chicks affixed to the base with wire. The vibrant colors used include yellow, blue, red, turquoise, fuchsia, orange and light green. It is signed 'Ortega' on the rear wall of the structure. 

Gerardo, along with his brothers Oscar and Junior, create these fun and colorful sculptures 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.   

Place of Origin: Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico   

Date of Manufacture: 1980s  

Condition: Excellent 

Wear: Near perfect. Please refer to pictures. 

Dimensions: 5.25 in. H X 7 in. W X 6.63 in. D 

Reference:

Arts & Crafts of Mexico, Chloë Sayer

The Spirit of Folk Art, Henry Glassie 

Explore more Mexican Pottery at Our Taste Design.