Orange and Brown Seated Man Chorotega Pottery Statuette 'Ancient Wisdom' Item ID: 2677068187

Name: Orange and Brown Seated Man Chorotega Pottery Statuette 'Ancient Wisdom'
Brand: Elpidio Chavarria
SKU: 2677068187
Price: 144.99 USD
Availability: InStock

$144.99

-1+

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About this item

"What ancient wisdom does this little man have to share? Handcrafted by Chorotega pottery artisan Elpidio Chavarria of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica, this ceramic statuette of a seated man with headdress and glasses is the natural sand color of the clay with details painted in dark orange and brown.

Chorotega pottery is completely handmade with traditional techniques passed down through the generations for 3,000 years, and one of the last surviving cultural elements of the Chorotega people indigenous to Costa Rica's Guanacaste region and Nicoya Peninsula. Chorotega pottery is made from local clay mixed with a very fine freshwater sand. The artisans shape the clay on hand-operated pottery wheels and hand-polish the art piece to give it a smooth texture and luster. Designs are etched by hand and the pieces are painted with natural pigments made from pulverized local colored rocks mixed with water, then fired in traditional wood-burning brick kilns. The result is a beautiful, earthen pottery unique to this region."

Item detail

1.69 lbs
6.3 inches H x 5 inches W x 4.9 inches D
Ceramic
Hand-crafted item -- color
size and/or motif may vary slightly
Signed by the artist

Made in Costa Rica

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Elpidio Chavarria

"I'm Elpidio Chavarria Chavarria. I work in the ceramics that are representative of my community.

"I was born in 1964 into a lovely home where family togetherness was valued and practiced. My whole family works in ceramics and I've been surrounded by their beautiful creations my whole life. When I was 12, I began helping out in the workshop where my mother patiently taught me herself so I'd learn in the best way.

"I started out step by step. First I learned to prepare the clay, then to mold and shape it and paint it. It was a world filled with colors where my mind could imagine all kinds of things that I later created in clay.

"Crafting my own designs was slow but an experience filled with learning. As time went by, I became interested in creating replicas of pre-Hispanic vessels. This requires a great deal of responsibility because each one of these pieces has a history to share. This also helped me perfect my technique.

"Chorotega ceramics represent more than just a source of income. This craft is a cultural and social labor as we strive to share our art with many more people. Ours is a very rich art even though our resources are few.

"I have always worked very hard to get ahead and I dream that one day our community will be able to stand out in the world. What better way than through this art? It represents us and fills us with pride.

"Our handicrafts bring in a large part of our communities' incomes.

"I hope that each one of my designs means something to the person who purchases it. Each one is unique and carries with it a bit of our culture, tradition and love."

Clay Pottery Costa Rican Folk Art Male Form Sculpture Hand Painted Sculpture Folk Art Sculpture Orange Sculpture Ceramic Sculpture

Elpidio Chavarria

Elpidio Chavarria handcrafted Chorotega-style terracotta ceramics

"I'm Elpidio Chavarria Chavarria. I work in the ceramics that are representative of my community.

"I was born in 1964 into a lovely home where family togetherness was valued and practiced. My whole family works in ceramics and I've been surrounded by their beautiful creations my whole life. When I was 12, I began helping out in the workshop where my mother patiently taught me herself so I'd learn in the best way.

"I started out step by step. First I learned to prepare the clay, then to mold and shape it and paint it. It was a world filled with colors where my mind could imagine all kinds of things that I later created in clay.

"Crafting my own designs was slow but an experience filled with learning. As time went by, I became interested in creating replicas of pre-Hispanic vessels. This requires a great deal of responsibility because each one of these pieces has a history to share. This also helped me perfect my technique.

"Chorotega ceramics represent more than just a source of income. This craft is a cultural and social labor as we strive to share our art with many more people. Ours is a very rich art even though our resources are few.

"I have always worked very hard to get ahead and I dream that one day our community will be able to stand out in the world. What better way than through this art? It represents us and fills us with pride.

"Our handicrafts bring in a large part of our communities' incomes.

"I hope that each one of my designs means something to the person who purchases it. Each one is unique and carries with it a bit of our culture, tradition and love."

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