Items Similar to Heron Martinez Mendoza Barro Negro Kangaroo Handled Vessel Bank -- 22.5" High
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17
Heron Martinez Mendoza Barro Negro Kangaroo Handled Vessel Bank -- 22.5" High
$1,250
£952.52
€1,098.52
CA$1,775.37
A$1,907.54
CHF 1,023.39
MX$22,473.02
About the Item
Here is a very unusual and LARGE (22.5" high) kangaroo piece by Mexican artist, Herón Martínez Mendoza (1918-1990). This is a handmade item that, although is considered folk art, has a very modernist vibe reminiscent of mid-century French ceramists. This example is handled and has an open top, although not a pitcher. Mendoza was known for making coin banks--and this is a very rare example. In reality, this collectible item is more sculptural than functional. The piece is in good condition but does have some chips and minor losses which is not unusual because of the softness of the black clay. But because the clay is black and unglazed, the imperfections are hard to notice. That said, this rare, handmade Mendoza piece displays beautifully. The photos should tell the story.
About Herón Martínez Mendoza (from Folk Art Museum of Central Texas): Herón Martínez Mendoza was a potter from Acatlán de Osorio, Puebla, Mexico. As with many craftsmen, Martínez’s work evolved over time. In fact, initially he was reluctant to follow in his family’s footsteps and become a potter. He tried a variety of other lines of work, but nothing came of them, and he eventually decided to go back to the family business of creating things with clay. Starting with utilitarian pieces, he designed a container to carry water, and his design, which prevented the handles from breaking, was so successful that people lined up to buy them.
This success moved him into making pots and planters, and over time, these became more and more creative as he changed their forms to represent animals, fish and various types of birds. As interest in his work grew and folk art stores sought to collect it, he let his burgeoning creativity loose to make different types of much more complex and sophisticated pieces. There are many collectors of Martínez’s work, that ranges from unique trees of life to whimsical zoomorphic pieces (animales fantasticos and animales grotéscos), pots, churches, masks, wall plaques and more.
Martínez died in November 1990. In an interview given in the 1970s, Martínez said that he wanted his legacy to be that he had produced “a great seed for the pueblo, and he wanted the art not to perish.” He would be proud to know that his legacy survives: Mexican potters still emulate him, his work graces the pages of almost every book on Mexican folk art, museums hold exhibitions dedicated to his art, and aficionados from many countries rejoice in adding new examples of his work to their collections.
- Creator:Heron Martinez (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 22.5 in (57.15 cm)Width: 8.5 in (21.59 cm)Depth: 11 in (27.94 cm)
- Style:Folk Art (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:c. 1960s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses.
- Seller Location:Minneapolis, MN
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU10007248070842
About the Seller
No Reviews Yet
Vetted Professional Seller
Every seller passes strict standards for authenticity and reliability
1stDibs seller since 2024
55 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Minneapolis, MN
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllCharming Large Ceramic Cat by Alfaraz Workshop / Studio Madrid, Spain
By Alfaraz
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a charming terracotta cat figure by Alfaraz Studio / Workshop of Madrid, Spain. From the 1960s, this striking fellow is handprinted in rich, golden yellow with contrasting bl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
$525 Sale Price
30% Off
Primavera French Art Deco Figural Jar or Bottle Attributed to Colette Gueden
By Atelier Primavera au Printemps, Colette Gueden
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a wonderful and rare glazed ceramic stoppered bottle or jar by Primavera (Atelier d'Art du Printemps) and attributed to Colette Gueden (1905-2000). We believe this unique pie...
Category
Vintage 1930s French Art Deco Jars
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Edwin
Mary Scheier Monumental Pottery Lamp Base / Vessel / Vase 25.5"
By Edwin and Mary Scheier
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a wonderful and LARGE lamp base by Edwin and Mary Scheier--the piece measures 25.5" in height, 8.75" in diameter at its widest and weighs approximately 16 pounds. Although th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
1920s Charles Catteau (1880-1966) for Keramis Deer Vase
By Charles Catteau
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a wonderful vase by Charles Catteau for Keramis, Belgium. The vase depicts a deer and foliage on both sides with a crackle glaze background. It is signed and numbered on the ...
Category
Vintage 1920s Belgian Art Deco Vases
Materials
Ceramic
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Substantial and Unique 1970s Modernist Signed Studio Pottery Vase #2
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here's a highly unusual hand-built pottery vase from the 1970s. The sculptural shape is glazed half clear--letting the natural terracotta clay color come through--and half black. The...
Category
Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Pottery
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Freeman Lederman Hand-Painted Ceramic Owl Figure -- Picasso Influence
By Freeman Lederman
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a charming hand-painted Japanese owl figure by Freeman Lederman. Dating from the 1950s, this little sculpture has a bit of a Picasso influence. It retains the original Freema...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
You May Also Like
17
La Guajolota / Ceramics Black Clay Mexican Folk Art
By Omar Fabian Canseco
Located in Jesus del Monte, MX
FREE SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE!
Artisan: Omar Fabian Canseco
MASTERPIECE
Made with Black Clay, hand-modeled technique, mate finished with white craft thread a...
Category
2010s Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
$2,500 Sale Price
50% Off
Free Shipping
1970s Black Donkey Caddy after Manuel Felguerez Mexico
By Manuel Felguérez
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1970s after Manuel Felguerez Handmade Black Donkey Caddy Mexico
Painted metal with two rings
Ideal napkin holder kitchen caddy miscellaneous storage.
Un...
Category
Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
21st Century Fischione Sculpture in Black by Toni Zuccheri
By Toni Zuccheri, Venini
Located in murano, IT
The male has darker feathers, while the female features bright accents of colour, but they both have a skilfully ground black head. The two wigeon specimens designed by Toni Zuccheri...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Animal Sculptures
Materials
Glass
"Inner Strength" Handmade Black Ceramic Bucchero Tuscan Etruscan Vase #8
By Ugo La Pietra
Located in Milan, IT
Ugo La Pietra "Inner strength" vase #8
From the "Inner strength" collection, ceramics dedicated to the theme of "virility".
"Inner strength" alluding to powerful musculature that gives expression to the forms, highlighted by the black, compact, glossy surfaces that recall an archaic wrestler's skin gleaming with perspiration. Physical and emotive energy capable of changing the balance of traditional vase...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Vases
Materials
Ceramic
"Inner Strength" Handmade Black Ceramic Bucchero Tuscan Etruscan Vase #4
By Ugo La Pietra
Located in Milan, IT
Ugo La Pietra "Inner strength" vase #4
From the "Inner strength" collection, ceramics dedicated to the theme of "virility".
"Inner strength" alluding to powerful musculature that gives expression to the forms, highlighted by the black, compact, glossy surfaces that recall an archaic wrestler's skin gleaming with perspiration. Physical and emotive energy capable of changing the balance of traditional vase...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Vases
Materials
Ceramic
Chamois primitive Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely o...
Category
Antique 1860s Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
