Lot 540

Tonalá Pottery Birds and Acapulco Toucan Pottery

Estimate: $200 - $400

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000
Included in this lot of folk art are two (2) Tonalá pottery birds and a large Mexican Folk Art Ceramic Toucan "Piggy Bank"-style Figurine. The ceramic production in Tonalá, known as the authentic mestizo ceramic is symbolic of Mexico's identity. Tonalá has long been recognized as a center for ceramics in Mexico. The streets are filled with artisan workshops and sidewalks stalls selling pottery and stoneware pieces. One thing that distinguishes Tonalá made ware is the decorative details. Two elements, the nahual and the "flor de Tonalá" are common. A nahual is a pre-Hispanic shape shifter or shaman, often drawn as a smiling cat. The flor de Tonalá (Tonalá flower) first appeared in pottery design in the early 20th century. Its distinctive shape is an oval center with rounded petals that form a scalloped design. Made of burnished clay or scented clay, the tradition comes from the Tonalteca group, which used clay to produce polished forms. The first designs of these ceramics were inspired by forms found in nature such as vegetables and roots. Warm earth tone polychrome colors with floral hand painted on body. These pieces are in good overall condition, the designs are bold and intricate, the colours are striking. None of the birds are signed, the larger Tonalá has "Mexico #6" on the underneath side. No marring noted to the Tonalá birds, the Toucan has very slight paint scuffing to the feet, no other obvious marring noted. Toucan measures 6"W x 14"L x 10"H, larger Tonalá is 3.75"W x 12.25"L x 4.75"H, smaller Tonalá is 3.25"W x 6.5"L x 4.5"H approximately.

North American Auction Company is proud to announce the opening of our new in-house, full-service shipping department. We have listened to you the customer and will now be handling all outgoing packages in our new shipping department. We are confident this new offering will allow for a smooth transition from auction block to your front step. We have partnered with preferred carriers to ensure a safe, efficient delivery that works best with your schedule. Please allow 14-21 days after complete invoice payment is made to package and ship your purchase. After you are notified of your winning bids from our company and your item invoice is paid in full our new shipping department will contact you. Make sure when signing up with our company that your preferred shipping information is up to date as this information will be used to estimate shipping cost. Once the items have been packaged our team will contact you for shipping payment. Shipping invoices and payment will be completely separately than the items invoice. Please notify the shipping department with any alternate request or instructions at mark@northamericanauctioncompany.com or 800-686-4216 ext. 3. For a shipping quote please contact the same information above. PLEASE NOTE a shipping quote price can fluctuate in price. Auction company is not responsible for actual shipping cost being higher than quoted shipping cost. Thank you for trusting North American Auction Co. with your bids and shipping. As our shipping department is brand new please understand that delays can be expected.