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Small Capistrano Mexican Folk Art Sculpture Attributed to Gemma Taccogna

$650per set
£496.98per set
€568.88per set
CA$916.58per set
A$997.80per set
CHF 532.65per set
MX$12,045.72per set
NOK 6,697.41per set
SEK 6,224.80per set
DKK 4,248.69per set

About the Item

Capistrano Gemma Taccogna, a Mexican artist of Italian descent, left a distinctive mark in folk art with her mastery of papier-mâché for the small one, and of ceramic for the big one, which she transformed into an illusion of porcelain. Her style is immediately recognizable: faces with clean features, large, stylized eyes outlined in black, and a playful approach to form. This vase, attributed to Taccogna, evoke Russian dolls known as Matryoshkas, due to the way the faces are painted, associated with the archetype of the mother of a large family, a symbol of motherhood and fertility. The vase entirely made of papier-mâché, share this common aesthetic, reinforced by generous, solid shapes. Their gazes seem to observe without truly concentrating, as if absorbed in a distant thought. This lack of focus gives them a presence that is both peaceful and enigmatic, suspended between wakefulness and dream. The relief necklaces, applied with a deliberately naïve touch, add a sculptural dimension to the whole. The matte, textured material contrasts with the porcelain-like visual effect. This vase belongs to the movement of the Mexican craft revival of the 1960s, illustrating how papier-mâché was elevated to the rank of artistic expression. Far from merely decorative, they reflect Taccogna's ability to imbue everyday objects with a poetic and timeless dimension, rooted both in tradition and contemporary creation. Measurements are : H5.5 x W5 x D 4 B I O - Gemma Fane Taccogna (1923-2007) was an Italian-born artist who specialized in papier-mâché. Her parents moved from Bari, Italy, to the United States the year Gemma was born. They did not believe in toys, so as a child, she made her own, inventing papier-mâché for herself, if not for the world, by experimenting with paper and flour from her mother’s kitchen. In 1937, 14-year-old Gemma left her home in Westchester, New York, and moved to Greenwich Village. Her work is the subject of numerous books, artistic references, and literary discussions.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Width: 5 in (12.7 cm)Depth: 4 in (10.16 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1964
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Pasadena, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU825844174452

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