Vintage Wood Carving Bird Sculpture by Santa Fe Carver Ben Ortega, New Mexico Folk Art
$88.00
This charming folk art wood carving was made in 1982 by Santa Fe native Ben Ortega (1923-1998), and it is absolutely charming, well made, and a classic piece by this renowned santero and folk artist. Two carved love birds are perched atop a piece of natural wood, and the entire piece, although not large, is polished smooth and finished in a way that shows off the richness of the patina as well as the different colors in the wood's surface. Although Ortega became known for carving saints, one of his other favorite subjects was birds. I've sold two Ortega sculptures from New Mexico estates that featured love birds, and this current offering is different in that the finish is so rich; the other two pieces were made of unstained driftwood. In fact, it's hard to find an Ortega piece today that is in this style of finish. In 1986, Ortega was named a Santa Fe Living Treasure and this is the excerpt taken from the website honoring this achievement: " 'My favorite is Saint Frances because it was my first piece that got sold', Ben Ortega says of his woodcarvings. 'I tell everybody that Saint Francis didn't want me to go to California'. His carvings are in collections world-wide, yet Ben never planned to be an artist. 'I used to sit in the kitchen and make little faces. I made two Indians-small pieces-and then I carved a little Saint Francis. Mrs. Myrtle Stedman [the artist and builder] saw my carvings. She loved them so much I gave her the Indians. I used to work for her, picking apples and peaches when I was a little boy'. Born in Tesuque, New Mexico, in 1923 to Isador and Agnes Ortega, Ben and his two brothers and sister were raised by an aunt and uncle. 'My mother died in an automobile accident when I was two," he said. "My father died when I was six'."
The base piece of wood measures about 5-1/2" wide by about 5" deep and the piece overall stands just over 3" tall. Weighs 10.5 ounces.
Lovebirds for bird lovers.
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Note that due to lighting plus monitor settings for brightness, contrast and other factors, there may be differences in the colors and tones of photos versus that of the actual item. Please message with questions and I will respond as soon as possible.
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