{"title":"Mexicana","description":"And this is just the tip of that volcano of creativity that is the story of Mexican (and Central American) art and design. Here is just a taste of some of our favorite pieces: paintings, furniture, pottery, religious objects, talismans, objects of use and contemplation, all magic.","products":[{"product_id":"mexican-tlaquepaque-casserole","title":"Mexican Tlaquepaque Casserole","description":"\u003cp\u003eMexican Tlaquepaque Casserole Dish, floral decoration. 5 x 13 x 10.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49107414868,"sku":"M1023","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M1023-22.jpg?v=1503689663"},{"product_id":"margarita-weihmann-paricutin-volcano","title":"Margarita Weihmann: Paricutin Volcano","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eMargarita Weihmann painting, oil on canvas, of Paricutin Volcano in Mexico. Parícutin is a dormant scoria-cone volcano located in the Mexican state of Michoacán, near the city of Uruapan and about 322 km west of Mexico City.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eMargarita Weihmann is just coming to the attention of American collectors. Of the generation of political refugee artists and writers who found, at first, refuge, and then, a true home in Mexico during World War II, Weihmann soon found herself at the center of the ferment of social-realist and indigenous art of the period, rubbing shoulders with, and painting and showing alongside, the giants of the period, Rivera, Kahlo, Orozco, Varo, Fini, and a host of others, now of legendary status. And, as the work shows, this gifted European became a truly Mexican painter, imbued with the excitement and ideals of the time. We are very excited to be able to offer a selection of these rarely seen works.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Margarita Weihmann","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51013698516,"sku":"P1343","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P1343-31.jpg?v=1507239744"},{"product_id":"margaret-weihmann-volcano","title":"Margaret Weihmann: Volcano","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eMargarita Weihmann oil on canvas image of a smoking Mexican volcano, 24 x 20. “Paricutin” and “El Zapiche” marked on back. Parícutin is a dormant scoria-cone volcano located in the Mexican state of Michoacán, near the city of Uruapan and about 322 km west of Mexico City.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Margarita Weihmann","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51013800724,"sku":"P1342","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P1342-24.jpg?v=1507240120"},{"product_id":"margarita-weihmann-el-ciego-y-su-mujer","title":"Margarita Weihmann: “El Ciego y su Mujer”","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eBeautiful portrait of a Mexican couple “El Ciego  y su Mujer” (The blind man and his wife) by Margarita Weihmann. Oil on canvas. Colors are outstanding, and the expressions – timeless. 21.5 x 26.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Margarita Weihmann","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51014198676,"sku":"P1340","price":1700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P1340-07.jpg?v=1507241347"},{"product_id":"margarita-weihmann-landscape-of-lagoons","title":"Margarita Weihmann: Landscape of Lagoons","description":"\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;\"\u003eMargarita Weihmann is just coming to the attention of American collectors. Of the generation of political refugee artists and writers who found, at first, refuge, and then, a true home in Mexico during World War II, Weihmann soon found herself at the center of the ferment of social-realist and indigenous art of the period, rubbing shoulders with, and painting and showing alongside, the giants of the period, Rivera, Kahlo, Orozco, Varo, Fini, and a host of others, now of legendary status. And, as the work shows, this gifted European became a truly Mexican painter, imbued with the excitement and ideals of the time. We are very excited to be able to offer a selection of these rarely seen works.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;\"\u003eThis oil is simply spectacular. We are in the presence of a true original.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Margarita Weihmann","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51014690836,"sku":"P1335","price":850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P1335-22.jpg?v=1507242314"},{"product_id":"jorge-b-murillo-watercolor-titled-running-and-flying","title":"Jorge B. Murillo Watercolor titled “Running and Flying”","description":"\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;\"\u003eA Jorge Murillo watercolor titled, Corriendo y Volando por Jorge B Murillo: Translates to, \u003cem style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eRunning and Flying.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;\"\u003eThis was purchased by Oliver La Farge in the 1940s. Art 11 x 14.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jorge B. Murillo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":2961629773865,"sku":"P703","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P703-1.jpg?v=1509558242"},{"product_id":"alfred-c-ybarra-1905-2001-double-sided-watercolor-dated-1951-stormy-desert-skies-two-views","title":"Alfred C. Ybarra (1905 – 2001) Double-sided Watercolor dated 1951 Stormy Desert Skies: Two Views P660","description":"\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;\"\u003eLarge works by artist and art director Al Ybarra dated 1951, and measuring 22 x 30. The beautiful desert sky in both pictures is striking and vivid.. Both sides are pretty darn amazing: one shows twin outcroppings of rock with a cluster of houses nested between them. These seem to us to be of a Mexican landscape, perhaps in the state of Durango, a favorite location for many of the John Wayne movies on which Ybarra worked.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;\"\u003eContact us for to arrange shipping, delivery or pickup at the warehouse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px;\"\u003eBorn in Los Angeles, CA on March 26, 1905. Ybarra first worked in an architecture firm in New York City before opting for an art career. After a brief art study in Europe, he returned to Los Angeles in the mid-1930s. He found work in the art department at Warner Bros where he became an art director. He died in San Diego, CA on March 25, 2001. Member: NY WC Club. Exh: Stendahl Gallery (LA), 1935-44; Webb Gallery (LA), 1937; GGIE, 1939; LACMA, 1942; Third Street Gallery (LA), 1950.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alfred C. Ybarra","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":2961780604969,"sku":"P660","price":1950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P660-5.jpg?v=1509570916"},{"product_id":"salvador-corona-single-bed","title":"Salvador Corona Single Bed","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eGorgeous bed, part of a set (with the Salvador Corona Highboy “Jewelry Box” F1147 ), hand carved florals done in the vice-regal Mexican Colonial style by Mexican artist (and bullfighter!) Salvador Corona. Should be in a museum but we have it in the store. For now. Measures 51″h x 41″w.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eWe can assist with shipping and blanket wrapping in the US for all furniture items.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Salvador Corona","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":2963098763305,"sku":"F1148","price":2200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/F1148-08.jpg?v=1509735349"},{"product_id":"mexican-bisque-figurine-of-a-man","title":"Mexican Bisque Figurine of a Man","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eMexican El Hombre figurine from the 1930s, wearing a highly detailed blue sombrero, and matching Charro suit. Bisque male figure measures 6.5″.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":4212921729065,"sku":"M044","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M044-1.jpg?v=1512590376"},{"product_id":"sitting-mexican-pottery-salt-shaker","title":"Sitting Mexican Pottery Salt Shaker","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eSitting Mexican Pottery Salt Shaker. Sitting Mexican has a green hat.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":4213222572073,"sku":"M120","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M120-1.jpg?v=1512592955"},{"product_id":"mexican-tlaquapaque-10-75-green-divided-plate","title":"Mexican Tlaquapaque 10.75″ Green Divided Plate","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eMexican Tlaquepaque 10.75″ green divided plate depicting a yellow rabbit, brown platypus, and blue civet.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":4214265905193,"sku":"M139","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M139-1.jpg?v=1512598679"},{"product_id":"mexican-dripwear-oaxacan-green-pitcher","title":"Mexican Dripwear Oaxacan Green Pitcher","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eMexican Dripwear Oaxacan Pitcher in a beautiful green base with subtle blue and yellow glaze drips. Pitcher measures 7″ x 8″ diameter.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":4377404735529,"sku":"M380","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M380-1.jpg?v=1513295273"},{"product_id":"mexican-dripwear-oaxacan-double-handled-lidded-sugar-bowl","title":"Mexican Dripwear Oaxacan Double Handled Lidded Sugar Bowl","description":"\u003cspan style=\"color: #373737; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 300; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: #ffffff; display: inline !important; float: none;\"\u003eMexican Dripwear Oaxacan Double Handled Lidded Sugar Bowl. Bowl measures 6″ x 6″ diameter. Flee bite on rim of lid.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":4378320961577,"sku":"M385","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M385-1.jpg?v=1513298798"},{"product_id":"heron-martinez-fish-bank","title":"Heron Martinez Fish","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"id5\" style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHeron Martinez Fish Bank - black, 10\" x 11\" x 5\". A superb modernist work.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThe work of Herón Martínez Mendoza of Acatlán de Osorio  (b.1918-d.1990) has become greatly admired and is sought after by many private collectors, as well as museums.  Particularly intriguing about this artist is the fact that although born to the craft, Martínez initially fought his “calling,” but when forced to accept it, he went on to become one of Mexico’s truly exceptional artisans in clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eSerious collectors like to know the “provenance” of the items they are collecting, and with respect to Martínez’s work, they are fortunate. Although many of the best Mexican craftsmen have died leaving behind little information on their backgrounds and inspirations, Martínez’s early life and work have been documented by Carlos Espejel, former Director of the Museo Nacional de Artes e Industrias Populares in Mexico City, and folk art writers Lenore Mulryan and Louanna Lackey. Since there is a comparative “wealth” of material relating to Martínez’s background and the factors which influenced his creativity, collectors can explore the literature in the attached bibliography which was compiled by David Farmer.  It is definitely worth the effort as a fascinating story is to be found.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"id6\" style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003ePhases of Creativity:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eAs 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 when he married, he 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThis 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 his work, he let his burgeoning creativity loose to make different types of much more complex and sophisticated pieces.  (Please note that the phases described below blended into one another.  Thus, at times, one could find white\/colored pieces along with black clay candle holders, and later  alongside burnished pieces.  One never knew what one would find in Martínez’s taller.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eWhite Period:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThe earlier work, called by some “the white period,” had a white background made of bisque ware and covered with a coat of gesso “blanco” – a chalky looking plaster. These white slip bases were often decorated with acrylic paints in vivid colors, with much of the painting done by Martínez’s wife, Olivia. The choice of materials was very wise as years later, the white retains its clarity, and the colors remain bright. Many of the early trees of life and candelabra were quite large, and although seemingly fragile, a surprising number of them have survived well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThis early work has become particularly collectible. Martínez’s fantastic imagination is evident in the widely varied pieces produced during this period. He seemed to be influenced by everything he saw. He even admitted that his dreams were sources of inspiration. He also commented that his trees of life with religious themes were inspired after viewing religious stamps in an album owned by one of his wife’s relatives. Some of the designs prized by collectors include nativity scenes, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Adam and Eve, the flight into Egypt, and altar pieces for the Day of Kings. Non-religious themes include circus figures, such as trapeze artists stacked on one another’s backs, stacked animals and also charming figures of people holding jugs, animals and birds. Some of the more elaborate pieces are decorated on both sides so they can be used as centerpieces. This “white period” clearly was one of the pinnacles of Martínez’s work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eBurnished Period:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThe 1950s brought another source of inspiration which was to last for the rest of Martínez’s life. Archaeologists visited the area to do excavations. They found numerous clay shards, which had been highly burnished and imprinted with pre-Hispanic designs. Martínez was very taken with the burnished look of the clay and sought out a potter in the area who was one of the last to know how to give clay the burnished look he admired. He learned the skill, and his work became distinguished by a rich brown The sheen (almost a cinnamon color). He added pre-Hispanic motifs, which included patterns and designs of the glyphs and step frets found by the archaeologists. His array of forms using the rich brown color and angular patterns was phenomenal–every kind of animal, bird, person, and fish was transformed into whimsical candelabras and planters. Walking into his studio with all the different kinds of creatures conjured up by Martínez was like going into a land of clay fantasy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eCeramic pieces out of black clay pottery were also produced in Martínez’s taller (probably the 1950s up to the 1970s.  These resembled those produced in Coyotepec, Oaxaca.   According to author James Norman, unlike the Coyotepec pottery, which gets its rich metallic black color from kiln-smudging and hand burnishing, the pieces produced in Acatlán were given a black slip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eWhile it has become more difficult to find the pieces from  earlier periods (including the painted figures and large trees of life),  it is easier to find  smaller pieces from the burnished period.  These run the gamut from pots, wall plaques, and churches to zoomorphic pieces (“animales fantasticos” or “animales grotéscos”).  For the most part, the latter took the form of candelabros (candle holders) which have a central animal figure for support.  Mounted on these are other creatures, sometimes forming pyramid shapes.  Lizards, birds, octopi, armadillos, horses, giraffes, dinosaurs and even rodents are among the fanciful depictions. Just about any creature in the animal or bird kingdoms was “fair game” for Martínez’s boundless imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eBio courtesy of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.heronmartinez.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #5ea0b4; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eLee Price Arellano\u003c\/a\u003e. (Use of the bio info from heronmartinez.com does not presume authentication from Lee Price Arellano, however, Early California Antiques has had the items authenticated by Mexican Folk Art experts in L.A. and Santa Fe.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Heron Martinez","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8104486928482,"sku":"M2005","price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2005-08.jpg?v=1522956459"},{"product_id":"batea-of-volcano-paricutin","title":"Batea of Volcano Paricutin c 1950-65","description":"Batea (tray) painted with scene of the volcano Paricutin that first appeared in 1943, legend says by M. Huacuz. Parangaricutiro a 3 Kmts del Volcan, Michoacan. (town of Nuevo San Juan Parangaricutiro in Michoacan). 28 x 28 x 2. \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eAbout bateas:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eUsing the traditional technique of Quiroga, Michoacán, these bateas have been made in this village for over 450 years. The wooden platters were used for offerings, marriages, dance dramas, processions, parades, and for decoration. These bateas were hollowed out by way of meticulous carvings with small woodworking tools and lacquered with a mixture of vegetable oil, powdered pigments and melted tar. Floral and foliate designs typically ornate these antique bateas. This piece was carved during the mid-twentieth century, 1950’s-1960’s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003eThe lacquerware tradition in Mexico predates the arrival of the Spanish and is believed to date back more than 2000 years. The production of these lacquered trays continued in central and southern Mexico in the Colonial era as did the production of very decorative pieces for European markets. This insured the survival of the indigenous techniques and designs in the remaining lacquerware centers of Patzcuaro and Quiroga, Michoacán, Chiapa de Corzo, Chiapas and Olinala, Guerrero.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8115423871074,"sku":"M2008","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2008-68.jpg?v=1581460232"},{"product_id":"serape-blue","title":"Serape: Blue","description":"Serape, predominantly blue. 53 x 22.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8115526533218,"sku":"A2031a","price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/A2031-54.jpg?v=1523568485"},{"product_id":"mexican-mask","title":"Wooden Red Mexican Folk Mask of a Man Shouting","description":"Mexican mask of a shouting or laughing man, carved out of wood, 7\" x 5\" x 9\". The modeling of the teeth and tongue and open mouth is spectacular. There is more than little something devilish about him.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8144545808482,"sku":"M2014","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2014-20.jpg?v=1524765905"},{"product_id":"mexican-calderone-small-car","title":"Mexican Calderone Small Car","description":"Mexican Calderone Small Car, folk art, pottery. Cute and colorful little car with driver. 6 x 4 x 4.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8144835608674,"sku":"M2015","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2015-30.jpg?v=1524768071"},{"product_id":"mexican-folk-art-snake-head","title":"Mexican Folk Art Snake Headdress Mask","description":"Mexican Folk Art mask. A man wearing a snake headdress, 7\" x 10\" x 5\", painted wood carving.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8144873455714,"sku":"M2017","price":275.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2017-39.jpg?v=1524769729"},{"product_id":"mexican-mask-man-with-moustache","title":"Mexican Folk Art Mask - Man with Moustache","description":"Mexican Mask - Man with a Moustache. And Those Eyebrows! Circa 1950, Wood, 10 x 6 x 4.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8145170202722,"sku":"M2022","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2022-66.jpg?v=1524776764"},{"product_id":"mexican-guatemalan-mask-man-with-beard","title":"Mexican\/Guatemalan Mask - Man with Beard","description":"Mexican\/Guatemalan Mask - Man with Beard. Circa 1940, Wood, 16 x 7 x 4.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8145212342370,"sku":"M2023","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2023-70.jpg?v=1524777114"},{"product_id":"mexican-tlaquepaque-black-plate-man-with-donkey-three-trees-cactus","title":"Mexican Tlaquepaque Black Plate - Man with Donkey, Three Trees, Cactus","description":"Mexican Tlaquepaque Black Plate - Man with Donkey, Three Trees, Cactus. 6.5\" diameter, circa 1930s, classic. See photos, underside tiny nick.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8228703338594,"sku":"M2037","price":95.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2037-16.jpg?v=1528919740"},{"product_id":"mexican-red-velvet-and-silver-braided-mens-hat","title":"Mexican Red Velvet and Silver Braided Men's Hat","description":"Mexican Red Velvet and Silver Braided Men's Hat, circa 1920s. Men's hat size would be large. Lining redone in 1970s. 21 x 7 x 14. Classic.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":8228941135970,"sku":"M2041","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2041-32.jpg?v=1528927749"},{"product_id":"raoul-anguiano-doncella-maiden-1951-lithograph","title":"Raoul Anguiano \"Doncella (Maiden)\" 1951 lithograph","description":"\u003cp\u003eSuperb head by Anguiano. 16\" x 20\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eJosé Raúl Anguiano Valadez\u003c\/b\u003e (February 26, 1915 – January 13, 2006) was a notable Mexican painter of the 20th century, part of the “second generation” of Mexican muralists which continued the tradition of Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco and David Alfaro Siqueiros but experimented with it as well. Anguiano was born during the height of the Mexican Revolution, which would inspire a majority of his mural painting. He studied painting in his hometown of Guadalajara before moving to Mexico City to begin his career. His first major exhibition was held at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, at age 20. His works include over 100 individual and collective exhibitions with 50 murals, mostly in Mexico and the United States. As he continued his artistry with aspects of the Mexican muralism movement, he also experimented with other styles such as Cubism, Surrealism and Expressionism, with themes such as clowns and prostitutes. However, his most famous painting is “La espina” (The thorn) which depicts a Mayan woman digging a thorn out of her foot with a knife. His later works concentrated on depicting Mexico in vivid colors and traditional imagery.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":12252784459874,"sku":"P2126","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P2126-02.jpg?v=1531592158"},{"product_id":"lepoldo-mendez-la-sumbra-sowing-1954-linocut","title":"Lepoldo Mendez \"La Sumbra (Sowing)\" 1954 linocut","description":"\u003cp\u003e16 x 20. A master print.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeopoldo Méndez\u003c\/b\u003e (June 30, 1902 – February 8, 1969) was one of Mexico’s most important graphic artists and one of country’s the most important artists from the 20th century. Méndez’s work mostly focused on engraving for illustrations and other print work generally connected to his political and social activism. His most influential work was connected to organizations such as the Liga de Escritores y Artistas Revolucionarios and the Taller de Gráfica Popular creating propaganda related to the ideals of the Mexican Revolution and against the rise of Fascism in the 1930s. Despite his importance in 20th-century artistic and political circles, Méndez was a relatively obscure figure during his life, and remains so afterwards. The reasons for this generally relate to the fact that he believed in working collaboratively and anonymously for the good of society rather than for monetary gain and because the socialist and communist themes of his work fell out of favor with later generations. Despite this, he has received some posthumous recognition with Mexican scholarship considering him to be the successor to graphics artist José Guadalupe Posada.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":12252890136674,"sku":"P2127","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P2127-05.jpg?v=1531593185"},{"product_id":"heron-martinez-animal-candelabra","title":"Heron Martinez Animal Candelabra","description":"\u003cdiv id=\"id5\" style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eHeron Martinez Animal Candelabra, pottery, 10 x 9 x 10. Great patina, superb example of this fine craftsman\/artist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThe work of  Herón Martínez Mendoza of Acatlán de Osorio  (b.1918-d.1990) has become greatly admired and is sought after by many private collectors, as well as museums.  Particularly intriguing about this artist is the fact that although born to the craft, Martínez initially fought his “calling,” but when forced to accept it, he went on to become one of Mexico’s truly exceptional artisans in clay.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eSerious collectors like to know the “provenance” of the items they are collecting, and with respect to Martínez’s work, they are fortunate. Although many of the best Mexican craftsmen have died leaving behind little information on their backgrounds and inspirations, Martínez’s early life and work have been documented by Carlos Espejel, former Director of the Museo Nacional de Artes e Industrias Populares in Mexico City, and folk art writers Lenore Mulryan and Louanna Lackey. Since there is a comparative “wealth” of material relating to Martínez’s background and the factors which influenced his creativity, collectors can explore the literature in the attached bibliography which was compiled by David Farmer.  It is definitely worth the effort as a fascinating story is to be found.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"id6\" style=\"border: 0px; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 300; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #373737; color: #373737; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003ePhases of Creativity:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eAs 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 when he married, he 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThis 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 his work, he let his burgeoning creativity loose to make different types of much more complex and sophisticated pieces.  (Please note that the phases described below blended into one another.  Thus, at times, one could find white\/colored pieces along with black clay candle holders, and later  alongside burnished pieces.  One never knew what one would find in Martínez’s taller.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eWhite Period:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThe earlier work, called by some “the white period,” had a white background made of bisque ware and covered with a coat of gesso “blanco” – a chalky looking plaster. These white slip bases were often decorated with acrylic paints in vivid colors, with much of the painting done by Martínez’s wife, Olivia. The choice of materials was very wise as years later, the white retains its clarity, and the colors remain bright. Many of the early trees of life and candelabra were quite large, and although seemingly fragile, a surprising number of them have survived well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThis early work has become particularly collectible. Martínez’s fantastic imagination is evident in the widely varied pieces produced during this period. He seemed to be influenced by everything he saw. He even admitted that his dreams were sources of inspiration. He also commented that his trees of life with religious themes were inspired after viewing religious stamps in an album owned by one of his wife’s relatives. Some of the designs prized by collectors include nativity scenes, the Virgin of Guadalupe, Adam and Eve, the flight into Egypt, and altar pieces for the Day of Kings. Non-religious themes include circus figures, such as trapeze artists stacked on one another’s backs, stacked animals and also charming figures of people holding jugs, animals and birds. Some of the more elaborate pieces are decorated on both sides so they can be used as centerpieces. This “white period” clearly was one of the pinnacles of Martínez’s work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eBurnished Period:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eThe 1950s brought another source of inspiration which was to last for the rest of Martínez’s life. Archaeologists visited the area to do excavations. They found numerous clay shards, which had been highly burnished and imprinted with pre-Hispanic designs. Martínez was very taken with the burnished look of the clay and sought out a potter in the area who was one of the last to know how to give clay the burnished look he admired. He learned the skill, and his work became distinguished by a rich brown The sheen (almost a cinnamon color). He added pre-Hispanic motifs, which included patterns and designs of the glyphs and step frets found by the archaeologists. His array of forms using the rich brown color and angular patterns was phenomenal–every kind of animal, bird, person, and fish was transformed into whimsical candelabras and planters. Walking into his studio with all the different kinds of creatures conjured up by Martínez was like going into a land of clay fantasy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eCeramic pieces out of black clay pottery were also produced in Martínez’s taller (probably the 1950s up to the 1970s.  These resembled those produced in Coyotepec, Oaxaca.   According to author James Norman, unlike the Coyotepec pottery, which gets its rich metallic black color from kiln-smudging and hand burnishing, the pieces produced in Acatlán were given a black slip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eWhile it has become more difficult to find the pieces from  earlier periods (including the painted figures and large trees of life),  it is easier to find  smaller pieces from the burnished period.  These run the gamut from pots, wall plaques, and churches to zoomorphic pieces (“animales fantasticos” or “animales grotéscos”).  For the most part, the latter took the form of candelabros (candle holders) which have a central animal figure for support.  Mounted on these are other creatures, sometimes forming pyramid shapes.  Lizards, birds, octopi, armadillos, horses, giraffes, dinosaurs and even rodents are among the fanciful depictions. Just about any creature in the animal or bird kingdoms was “fair game” for Martínez’s boundless imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.625em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;\"\u003eBio courtesy of \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.heronmartinez.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #5ea0b4; text-decoration: none;\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eLee Price Arellano\u003c\/a\u003e. (Use of the bio info from heronmartinez.com does not presume authentication from Lee Price Arellano, however, Early California Antiques has had the items authenticated by Mexican Folk Art experts in L.A. and Santa Fe.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Heron Martinez","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":13094243237986,"sku":"M2055","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2055-50.jpg?v=1534962930"},{"product_id":"mexican-rugerio-talavera-tile-church","title":"Mexican Rugerio Talavera Tile - Church","description":"Mexican Rugerio Talavera Tile - Church, signed, beautiful blue border and scene, perfect accent. 6 x 6.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":13115981529186,"sku":"M2063","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2063-08.jpg?v=1535053101"},{"product_id":"guatemalan-devil-with-staff","title":"Guatemalan Devil with Staff","description":"Guatemalan Devil with Staff. Diablo! Anatomically correct, as well! Scary little devil.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":16626545950818,"sku":"M2077","price":700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2077-64.jpg?v=1540517079"},{"product_id":"guatemalan-devil-with-staff-1","title":"Guatemalan Devil with Staff","description":"Guatemalan Devil with Staf, this one with nail horns, also anatomically correct. Perfect for Day of the Dead.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":16626814419042,"sku":"M2078","price":700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2078-70.jpg?v=1540517695"},{"product_id":"mexican-carving-of-mariachi-on-wood-base","title":"Mexican Carving of Mariachi on Wood Base M2093","description":"Mexican Wood Carving of Mariachi mounted on Wood Base, circa 1910-1920. 24 x 25 x 10. (Statue's hands and instrument missing - see photos)","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":19101271949410,"sku":"M2093","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2093-26.jpg?v=1548363919"},{"product_id":"desert-rose-serape","title":"Desert Rose Serape","description":"Desert Rose Serape - silk threads. Near perfect condition! 48 x 19.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":19998514610274,"sku":"A2130","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/A2130-94.jpg?v=1552596678"},{"product_id":"mexican-colonial-floral-trunk","title":"Mexican Colonial Floral Trunk","description":"\u003cp\u003eGlorious and studded, with just the right amount of age and patina, this Mexican trunk with floral decoration measures 18 x 36 x 16. See all photos for condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":20164668522594,"sku":"F2099","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/F2099-15.jpg?v=1554401561"},{"product_id":"mexican-hand-carved-and-painted-wooden-figure-woman-with-guitar-c-1930s","title":"Mexican Hand-carved and Painted Wooden Figure Woman with Guitar c 1930s","description":"Angelic without being an angel, this figure of a woman playing her guitar really took our breath away. Stands 15\" tall and 6\" wide by 4\" deep.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":20186928742498,"sku":"M2111","price":445.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2111-46.jpg?v=1554672995"},{"product_id":"faces-painting","title":"Faces -  Mexican Modernist painting by A Moralay or Morales 1962","description":"\"Faces\" haunted faces, eyes dripping, looking out at you. Signed A Moralay R, or it could be Morales...1962, Mexican artist. Watercolor or oil wash on board. Framed under glass with a 3\" depth. Frame size 33 x 28, art is 25.5 x 18.5.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":20318748016738,"sku":"P2274","price":1700.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P2274-69.jpg?v=1557014164"},{"product_id":"carlos-murillo-women-children-at-the-stream-by-the-bridge-next-to-the-church-c-1900","title":"Carlos Murillo - Women \u0026 Children at the Stream by the Bridge next to the Church c 1900 P2439","description":"\u003cp\u003eA really lovely genre painting, proudly flying the flag of Mexicanismo, by\u003cstrong\u003e Carlos Murillo\u003c\/strong\u003e, the devoted colleague and follower of\u003cstrong\u003e Jose Maria Jara Peregrina (1866-1939),\u003c\/strong\u003e one of Mexico's foundational artists of the modern day. After centuries of looking to Europe for inspiration, schooled Mexican painters were finally beginning to discover Mexico. It is hard, from the vantage point of today, with the glories of Kahlo and Rivera and Orozco fresh in our minds, to realize what a radical notion this was. And with this particular work we find ourselves back in precisely that moment in time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA young man on horseback has approached a group of women, with their children, washing clothes and laying them out to dry on the bank. The arrangement is not un-European, it is pastoral, bucolic, but let us look at the clothes, those purple-hued volcanic ranges and the extraordinary vegetation, the painter's avidity for the sharp brightness of red, the fact that the subjects are unmistakably indigenous people, and we realize we are finally in the New World, looking at it through new eyes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e30\" x 40\" Oil on board. Signed.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Carlos Murillo","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29420668059746,"sku":"P2439","price":6500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P2439-45.jpg?v=1563745606"},{"product_id":"ocumichu-ceramic-last-supper-c-1950s","title":"Ocumichu Ceramic Last Supper c 1950s","description":"And this Last Supper was a very festive occasion, which notion rather appeals to us. A true miniature Michoacan masterpiece. Measures a monumental 18\" across by 8\" high by 7\" deep. Signed Martinez # 71 Benito Calle .","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29448401977442,"sku":"M2113","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2113-00.jpg?v=1564270837"},{"product_id":"hexagonal-plate-from-guadalajara-hilton-1960s","title":"Hexagonal Plate from Guadalajara Hilton 1960s","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1964, the newly opened Guadalajara Hilton was such a big deal that it starred, well, was featured prominently, in a film, \"Guadalajara En Verano\" that was basically about cross cultural romancing while not missing out on any of the sights of the city or Lake Chapala. And here we have a specially designed dinner plate for the hotel restaurant, Cena Mexicana. And it's a glorious mix of Mexican and Mod. We truly dig it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11\" x 11\" x 1\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29448412725346,"sku":"M2115","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2115-11.jpg?v=1564272081"},{"product_id":"mexican-tin-wall-sconce-circa-1930s","title":"Mexican Tin Wall Sconce circa 1930s","description":"Measures 10\" x 4\" x 14\". I can't imagine anything prettier than one of these with its candle lit.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29449360703586,"sku":"M2118","price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2118-27.jpg?v=1564340193"},{"product_id":"hexagonal-green-mexican-lacquer-tray","title":"Hexagonal Green Mexican Lacquer Tray","description":"Beautifully carved and incised, measures 17\" in diameter and is 1\" thick. And that is a sensational shade of green.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29449480732770,"sku":"M2119","price":125.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2119-47.jpg?v=1564350936"},{"product_id":"mexican-nicho-retablo-wall-altar-circa-1900s","title":"Mexican Nicho\/Retablo Wall Altar circa 1900s","description":"\u003cp\u003eNot only is this a beautiful object, it also demands to be used. You won't be able to help yourself. A photo or two, a candle or incense burner, an inherited brooch, a meaningful image out of a magazine, a dried flower, an old toy, they'll find their way to it... a nicho brings a home to life. Finds its soul. That's its job, to hold that space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e11.5\" x 3.5\" x 19\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29449682878562,"sku":"M2120","price":550.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2120-51.jpg?v=1564354180"},{"product_id":"mexican-pottery-figure-bookend-women-with-shawl","title":"Mexican Pottery Figure Bookend Women With Shawl M2121","description":"\u003cp\u003eCirca 1930. She stands by a stream with her water jar at her feet, a flowering cactus at her side, one end of her shawl pensively held in her mouth, lost in thought. It's an entrancing object. Stands 8\" tall, 6\" wide and 4\" deep.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":29449700638818,"sku":"M2121","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2121-56.jpg?v=1564355199"},{"product_id":"mexican-hand-carved-oval-wooden-scenic-plaque","title":"Mexican Hand-carved Oval Wooden Scenic Plaque","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnd a lovely scene it is, a man, on his way to somewhere, in no particular hurry, on his path in the shade of the trees. Lovely work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e22\" x 15\" x 1\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30312766931042,"sku":"M2127","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2127-92.jpg?v=1570394904"},{"product_id":"oaxacan-pottery-charger","title":"Oaxacan Pottery Charger","description":"\u003cp\u003eThat characteristic Oaxacan painting in colored glazes done particularly skillfully: gorgeous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e13 3\/4\" diameter x 1\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30312769421410,"sku":"M2128","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2128-00.jpg?v=1570395177"},{"product_id":"mexican-folk-art-table","title":"Mexican Folk Art Table 1930s","description":"\u003cp\u003eAnd it's a game table too! And it has a DRAWER! And it is so beautiful with its checkerboard and lovely wear and colors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e24 1\/2\" x 24\" x 28\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease contact us for shipping or delivery or pickup.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30312887451746,"sku":"F2143","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/F2143-35.jpg?v=1570405413"},{"product_id":"mexican-equipale-table-1930s","title":"Mexican Equipale Table 1930s","description":"\u003cp\u003eClassic. From the 1930s. Beautiful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e27 1\/2\" high, 27\" diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease contact us for shipping or delivery or pickup.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":30312897347682,"sku":"F2144","price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/F2144-39.jpg?v=1570405966"},{"product_id":"tiny-oil-painting-on-copper-mexican-child-carrying-a-baby-1914","title":"Tiny Oil Painting on Tin - Mexican Child Carrying a Baby 1914 P2525","description":"Signed JG. And dated. Whoever the painter was they were the real deal: this is a beautiful work, finely observed, executed with delicacy, sympathy and great psychological penetration. Nothing is stinted, the landscape behind, the details of the clothes, but it is the child's eyes that speak to you. Measures just 5 1\/2\" x 3 1\/2\". In excellent condition.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31197345710178,"sku":"P2525","price":750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/P2525-97.jpg?v=1605143164"},{"product_id":"jose-pinal-1913-1983-woodcarving-of-farmer-carrying-sacks-of-grain-1930s-40s","title":"Jose Pinal (1913-1983) Woodcarving of Farmer Carrying Sacks of Grain 1930s-40s","description":"\u003cp\u003eA wonderful example of the great Pinal's skills. One of a kind. Signed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn excellent condition, measures 10\" x 6\" x 4\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Jose Pinal","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31197354819682,"sku":"A2252","price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/A2252-26.jpg?v=1576187493"},{"product_id":"mexican-painted-tile-top-table-1950s","title":"Mexican Painted Tile-Top Table 1950s","description":"A total charmer. Some lucky traveler's cherished find. Measures 16\" tall by 18\" by 18\".","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31238287786082,"sku":"M2143","price":650.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2143-54.jpg?v=1578522174"},{"product_id":"mexican-hand-carved-19th-century-side-table","title":"Mexican Hand-carved 19th Century Side Table","description":"This little golden table has a huge personality. Measures 22\"wide x 27\" high x 16 1\/2\" deep.","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31329116520546,"sku":"F2166","price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/F2166-90.jpg?v=1582053427"},{"product_id":"winged-mexican-devil-wrapped-in-the-close-embrace-of-a-serpent-handcarved","title":"Winged Mexican Devil Wrapped in the Close Embrace of a Serpent Handcarved","description":"\u003cp\u003eWe place this wonder either from Oaxaca or Michoacan. A fabulous Diablo, and, as usual with his kind, it is impossible to state whether he's in trouble or whether he IS the trouble.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn imposing 39\" tall, and  17\" across and 23\" deep.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Early California Antiques Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":31330065711202,"sku":"M2644","price":1200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/products\/M2644-91.jpg?v=1582071271"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1596\/5487\/collections\/M2008-68.jpg?v=1562446127","url":"https:\/\/earlycal.com\/collections\/under-the-volcano-the-greatness-of-mexico\/mexican-furniture.oembed","provider":"Early California Antiques Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}