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Today I am offering this fabulous handcrafted pottery sculpture signed by the late Josefina Aguilar of Ocotlán de Morelos, Oaxaca, Mexico. Sadly she passed away earlier this year.
Josefina Aguilar Alcántara (1945–2026) is recognized as one of Mexico's most celebrated masters of ceramic folk art.
She pioneered these expressive, unglazed clay figures—often called muñecas (dolls) - using local clay.
Because she lost her eyesight later in life, her family members stepped in to help paint her unique hand-sculpted creations.
Her work is displayed in the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, TX, the San Antonio Museum of Art, and the Mexican Museum in San Francisco.
This is a "La Danza de los Diablos" (Dance of the Devils) figure depicting a fancy lady dancing with a debonair horned red devil companion.
This Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) piece is part of the Aguilar family tradition of hand-formed, painted red clay figures.
This piece is vintage, dating from the late 1980s to the early 2000s.
I know that's a wide range, however, pinpointing the exact year is difficult because Josefina Aguilar didn't date her work, but the following specific clues reveal this approximate era:
- The Blue "Hecho en México" label is the style and font of stickers widely used by Mexican craft cooperatives and exporters throughout the 1980s and 90s.
- Ms. Aguilar's earlier pieces from the 1960s and 70s used subdued, natural earth tones and simple clay washes. It wasn't until her work gained international recognition in the 80s (championed by collectors like Nelson Rockefeller) that she began experimenting with bright acrylic house paints and eye-catching glitters.
- Because she lost her sight completely in 2014, her pieces from the last decade of her life relied heavily on family members to guide her hands to completely handle the painting. The precise brushwork on this points to her peak production years between 1985 and 2005.
On this genuine piece, the bottom reveals the hand-etched signature of Josefina Aguilar, alongside a classic blue Made in Mexico sticker label.
It measures approximately as follows:
- 6" from top to bottom
- 3" from side to side
- 2¾" from front to back
- 13.5 ounces
It is in good vintage pre-owned condition with a couple of ISSUES.
There is a significant but shallow CHIP on the devil's ankle area.
(see close-up pictures with measurements).
Fortunately the way it flaked off flat and in an inconspicuous area it is not very noticeable.
But it definitely needs to be mentioned.
Additionally, the lady is missing some glitter off the back of her dress as pictured.
Otherwise she is fully intact including her rich ropes of spiraling brown hair, and her delicate flowers.
The colors are still bold and vivid, and the piece is pretty clean. I didn't attempt to clean it in any way so you'll have to use your own expertise to get any dust from the crevices.
I'd really like to keep this piece but I have very limited space and far too much stuff.
It should go to a collector of this specific art form where it will be properly displayed and treasured.
✓ You will receive the exact item in the pictures. These are my own photos, not stock photos or screenshots.
√ Please review all the pictures and ZOOM IN FOR CLOSE-UPS as they are an integral part of the description.
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*** determines international shipping costs.
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