VIRGIL ORTIZ Ram Figurine at Rest [SOLD]

This seated ram pottery figurine is an early creation by Cochiti Pueblo artist Virgil Ortiz.  We have made that determination because of the signature element which is simply his name without the elaborate cartouche that he later adopted to place alongside his name.  Virgil was born in 1969, and this ram was purchased by the current owner in the 1990 period.  Virgil would have just passed from his teenage years.

The pueblo people share a relationship with animals that the white culture fails to appreciate.  The beliefs of the pueblo are that everything has a life—rocks, plants, animals, birds, snakes and all other things that exist.  Animals are treated with respect and are only killed when food is needed.  Even then, they offer a prayer to the animal thanking it for giving its life for their needs.  They never kill animals unnecessarily, as in sport.

Pottery figurines of animals are, of course, made to sell to tourists and collectors but they developed as a tool to teach their own children how to respect and honor animals.  

This figurine was not purchased from Adobe Gallery but all of the Cochiti figurines purchased by this collector were in the 1980s and 90s, so it is safe to assume that this was made during that time.  It is signed and is in original condition.

Relative Links: traditional pottery vessels, jewelry, Seferina Ortiz, Cochiti Pueblo, figurative pottery, Virgil Ortiz, Cochiti Pueblo Potter