Pasadena Animal Sculptures

This whimsical yet imposing ceramic sculpture by Dora De Larios depicts a fantastical beast, its toothy grin and dual-horned head lending it both humor and menace. Its rotund body, patterned with incised circular motifs, evokes an almost armor-like surface, while its tail curls upward in a spirited gesture. Balancing playfulness with gravitas, the figure draws on mythological archetypes while remaining distinctly modern in form and finish. The earthy glaze, alternating between olive and russet tones, enhances the creature’s tactile presence, situating it within De Larios’s broader exploration of surface texture and expressive form. The sculpture embodies her fascination with merging the human, animal, and divine into hybrid figures that speak to universal myths and collective imagination. About the Artist Dora De Larios was an American ceramist and sculptor based in Los Angeles whose career spanned over six decades. Born to Mexican immigrant parents, she grew up in a diverse community near Silver Lake and drew early inspiration from Mexican antiquities and Japanese traditions of ceramic art. A graduate of USC, she studied under Otto and Vivika Heino and Susan Peterson, and her early exposure to radical ceramicists such as Peter Voulkos encouraged her move toward expressive, non-functional clay forms. Her practice ranged from intimate vessels to monumental public commissions, including the vast Grand Canyon Concourse mural for Disney World (1970–71). While she achieved recognition for her Irving Place Studio tableware line, De Larios’s sculptural works—often drawing on myth, masks, and pan-cultural spirituality—cement her legacy as a pioneering voice in West Coast ceramics. Her work has been exhibited widely and is held in major collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum. Context and Legacy This mythical creature stands within De Larios’s lifelong pursuit of blending ancient archetypes with contemporary sensibility. Its hybrid form recalls Japanese Haniwa figures...

This deer sculpture by Laster, signed and dated 1982, combines formal rigor and power, unfolding an almost devotional space around it At night with the light the shadows of the scul...

This is a stunning example of the highest level of basket weaving. The crane was created by the Shanghai Handicrafts Co. in the mid-20th century, c. 1960-1970. The Crane is in excellent condition with just a touch of natural patina. The weaving is tight, exhibiting no faults. The woven crane rests on a woven plinth with one leg resting on a carved wood support. The wings of the crane are removable, revealing a yellow lacquered box...

This unique ceramic sculpture immerses us in a world where the modernist design of the mid-20th century intersects with the ancient echoes of early civilizations. Its refined, styliz...

This is a very large and unusual pair of mid-19th century Victorian Staffordshire Dairy Cows that were originally used as trade signs in a milk shop. The inscription at the base of the figures reads "Milk Sold Here". Both pieces are in very good condition with one base showing a minor crack on the internal rim. These Staffordshire cows...

This is the second and slightly smaller of two c. 1950s leather clad elephants. This charming guy is in very good original condition--he maintain...

This is an outstanding pair of Meiji Period carved hardwood figures of a ferocious lion and tiger. The carving is exceptional as is the bone detailing of the mouthes and teeth. The f...

This piece by Gene and Rebecca Tobey is a stunning Black Buffalo ceramic sculpture. In Native American cultures, the buffalo stands for the sacr...

This is a wonderful sculptural grouping of a mother elephant and calf that dates to the mid 20th century. Both sculptures are in overall very good condition with no faults noted. Bot...

Beautiful mid-century cat sculpture made in plaster with rich original patina. The round-shape flows visually, bringing a sense of peacefulness and simplicity. This sculpture was ma...

Many interesting textures with this beautifully carved stone lamp, in the shape of a dolphin. Lamp is on a Plexi-glass base and has its original cream baroque patterned velvet lampshade...

Large solid brass panther signed Di Delo, early 1980's. Panther has been professionally polished.