Handmade Ceramic Tripod Sculpture in Black from Costa Rica 'Funeral Rituals' Item ID: 2677068821

Name: Handmade Ceramic Tripod Sculpture in Black from Costa Rica 'Funeral Rituals'
Brand: Luis Alberto Gutierrez
SKU: 2677068821
Price: 189.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$189.99

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About this item

"Luis Alberto Gutierrez pays tribute to his country's pre-Columbian heritage with this handmade ceramic sculpture painted with a black color created using pulverized stone. At the top of each of the handmade sculpture's three slender legs is an open cylindrical shape; the vessel features a long neck and is adorned with lizard legs and small dots. The model for the tripod design comes from similar objects crafted by Costa Rica's indigenous peoples many centuries ago. Those tripods had a function during funeral rituals. They were used during burials to heat sacred beverages such as chocolate. They were then ceremonially broken in two and buried in the tombs of the deceased as offerings, together with other objects such as ceramic pieces, jade or metal."

Item detail

1.95 lbs
9.8 inches H x 6.3 inches W x 6.3 inches D
Ceramic
For decorative use only
Hand-crafted item -- color
size and/or motif may vary slightly

Made in Costa Rica

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Luis Alberto Gutierrez

"As a boy, I had a lot of fun. Life was happy. We always went out to play soccer and every afternoon was a moment to remember. We loved to watch the sunsets.

"I've always loved the pre-Hispanic ceramics of the Nicoya peninsula — its different shapes and the diversity of colors obtained from natural materials. I found it fascinating! By the time I was ten, I knew I wanted to be a part of this world.

"Even though I was still in school, I divided my time so that I could work in ceramic after I'd finished my homework. I couldn't spend a lot of time on my pottery, but I gave it my best effort and this was a very valuable experience.

"Little by little, I was able to start working on my own and I thank God for this. I began crafting very small pieces, as I lacked the confidence to try something big. However, this uncertainty forced me to keep trying harder and overcome any obstacle.

"To improve my technique, I had the help of many people in my own family who gave me advice and coached me to achieve better finishes. Painting the motifs was quite a challenge. I wasn't good at it and my patterns weren't pretty. It took a lot of patience and practice but I finally mastered this art.

"I am completely sure that with time and dedication, a person can achieve success and this is what I advise others.

"Thanks to many people, I am who you see today. I have many dreams and goals yet to reach but, with God's help, I will. Thank you for the opportunity to show you my work. This will help me continue growing and working even harder."

Detailed Sculpture! Cultural Sculpture Animal Themed Sculpture Black Sculpture Ceramic Sculpture Lizard Sculpture

Luis Alberto Gutierrez

Luis Alberto Gutierrez ceramics in the style of pre-Hispanic Nicoya pottery

"I was born in 1978 in a small Costa Rican community and grew up in a lovely family although we didn't have the income we needed. Even so, thanks to the efforts of my parents, we always had the basic necessities.

"As a boy, I had a lot of fun. Life was happy. We always went out to play soccer and every afternoon was a moment to remember. We loved to watch the sunsets.

"I've always loved the pre-Hispanic ceramics of the Nicoya peninsula — its different shapes and the diversity of colors obtained from natural materials. I found it fascinating! By the time I was ten, I knew I wanted to be a part of this world.

"Even though I was still in school, I divided my time so that I could work in ceramic after I'd finished my homework. I couldn't spend a lot of time on my pottery, but I gave it my best effort and this was a very valuable experience.

"Little by little, I was able to start working on my own and I thank God for this. I began crafting very small pieces, as I lacked the confidence to try something big. However, this uncertainty forced me to keep trying harder and overcome any obstacle.

"To improve my technique, I had the help of many people in my own family who gave me advice and coached me to achieve better finishes. Painting the motifs was quite a challenge. I wasn't good at it and my patterns weren't pretty. It took a lot of patience and practice but I finally mastered this art.

"I am completely sure that with time and dedication, a person can achieve success and this is what I advise others.

"Thanks to many people, I am who you see today. I have many dreams and goals yet to reach but, with God's help, I will. Thank you for the opportunity to show you my work. This will help me continue growing and working even harder."

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