Items Similar to Large Tobey Ceramic Signed American Southwestern Modern Buffalo Sculpture
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
Large Tobey Ceramic Signed American Southwestern Modern Buffalo Sculpture
$3,225
£2,448.36
€2,800.41
CA$4,505.79
A$5,011.42
CHF 2,616.81
MX$60,983.71
NOK 33,420.66
SEK 31,342.68
DKK 20,900.51
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
A uniquely brilliant American ceramic sculpture capturing the essence of a buffalo, in southwestern modern style by celebrated husband and wife artists Gene (1945-2006) & Rebecca Tobey (b.1948).
This large sculpture dates to the late 20th century, decorated in rich polychrome design depicting lizard and dessert mountainous / southwestern landscape in mixed media glazed and matte finishes. Reticulated design to buffalo's back. Open panels revealing red glazed interior add depth and dimension, raised and incised exterior decoration. Signed, "Tobey" to the foot. Bottoms of feet covered in soft felt. Truly a remarkable artistic example.
circa 1990s. Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Dimensions (approx):
21" High, 21.5” Wide, 12” Deep
---
About the artist:
The collaboration began with Rebecca acting as assistant on Gene’s sculptures, which evolved from dishes and practical ceramics to highly stylized animals. “She was my glaze technician,” Tobey explained, meaning the person who applies the glazes before firing. The sculptures in the mid-1980s were an interesting combination of techniques. Gene Tobey first made a mold of an animal and cut out sections to be superimposed on other parts of the animal. Then, using a steel stylus he engraved designs. Rebecca Tobey did the glazing, imbuing the sculptures with color before the final firing. Over the months, however, Rebecca Tobey slowly began to develop her own techniques and her own ideas about the kind of surfaces that would enhance the three-dimensional qualities of the sculptures.
“In summer of 1987 Gene Tobey had an opening at Presdon Gallery,” she recalls, “I wanted to use colored clay slips instead of glazes. Glazes are chemicals that melt and bleed. They don’t have sharp delineations. I wanted a sharp, crisp finish.” Rebecca Tobey coated sections of two sculptures with clay slip. They were the first in the show to sell. Another was made for a show of fourteen pieces in Vail – and again it was the first to sell. It was magic. “I realized I needed new thoughts and different hands to make different pieces,” said Gene Tobey. Once he realized that Rebecca had moved firmly – and permanently – from a technician into an equally creative artist, Gene called his galleries and instructed them to change the credit to “Gene & Rebecca Tobey.” One or two delayed, resisting the idea of naming two people, but now the artistic marriage is etched into each piece. In Gene’s words, “There are times I don’t like being called an artist because I don’t know the parameters of the term. We’re dealing with our own aesthetic and having fun with it. There’s always something new, and the experiment goes on. I look at Rebecca’s work and feel privileged, not jealous. It’s a blessing when two people work together, not compete but combine. Evolving and changing became our focus. One person takes a step and the other has to take a step to catch up.” In the 1990’s, the Tobeys began to work in bronze, continuing their tradition of stylized animals.
Unfortunately, Gene Tobey lost his battle with leukemia in 2006. He is a man who will be missed for the contributions that he made to the people around him by giving of his great heart as well as his talent. Rebecca, devastated but strong, continues the legacy of their spirited work in memory of her late husband. In 2010 Rebecca returned to creating in ceramics for the first time in 15 years.
The two had created a style of art that is unique and distinctive. Because of its ingenious simplification of sculptural imagery, the Tobey design is instantly recognizable, and will remain so under Rebecca’s able hand.
- Creator:Tobey (Artist)
- Dimensions:Height: 21 in (53.34 cm)Width: 21.5 in (54.61 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:circa 1990s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Forney, TX
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5977227001712
About the Seller
4.8
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2013
1stDibs seller since 2021
292 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Forney, TX
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllAntique Moroccan Carved Polychrome Painted Wooden Camel Figure Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A superbly carved camel statue, early 20th century, Morocco, exceptionally executed, the North African Art Deco Orientalist figural carving features fine...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Art Deco Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Chinese Carved Soapstone Spill Vase
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptionally hand-carved antique Chinese soapstone spill vase - spill holder (see below), profusely decorated and intricately detailed naturalistic sc...
Category
20th Century Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
Antique Indonesian Carved Deer Architectural Temple Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and incredible Indonesian hand carved and painted red deer architectural salvaged temple ornament.
Dating to the 19th century or earlier, hand-...
Category
Antique 19th Century Southeast Asian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Auguste Nicolas Cain Signed Bronze Tazza Sculpture
By Auguste Nicholas Cain
Located in Forney, TX
A very fine Auguste Nicolas Cain (French, 1822-1894) bronze sculpture depicting a crowing rooster perched atop naturalistic base of stylized log o...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century French Rustic Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique East African Carved Wood & Bronze Antelope Deer Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large, rare, and most impressive antique hand carved and painted wood and metal stylized antelope African folk art sculpture with beautifully aged distressed patina.
Handmade in East Africa, dating to around the late 19th / early 20th century, possibly earlier, this scarce, one-of-a-kind, museum quality work, features a richly detailed patinated bronze head and tail with etched textural elements, tall ears and faux ringed...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Large Antique Southeast Asian Thai Carved Polychrome Rabbit Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large whimsical hand carved and painted antique Southeast Asian wooden hare sculpture with incised detailing, polychrome decoration and beautifully aged patina.
Hand-crafted in th...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
$3,112 Sale Price
29% Off
You May Also Like
big ceramic buffalo by Kurt Tschorner for Ruscha - 1970s Germany
By Ruscha
Located in Saarbrücken, DE
- big ceramic sculpture
- excellent good condition
- authentic 1970s art piece
Category
Vintage 1970s Balkan Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
1970's Porcelain Bull - Pablo Zabel, Chile
By Pablo Studio
Located in Bern, CH
1970s Pablo Zabal Chile decorative porcelain bull. With insert for use as a candle holder. Signed on base: Pablo Zabal Chile.
Diameter: ca. 28cm. Height:...
Category
Vintage 1970s Chilean Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
$111 Sale Price
25% Off
Ann & John Farquharson Studio Pottery Sculptural Bison Figure
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish sculptural Studio Pottery of a bison made by Ann & John Farquharson and dating to the later 20th or early 21st century. The standing figure is hand formed with piped clay t...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Otto Keramiek Buffalo Figurine by Otto Gerharz
By Otto Keramik
Located in Verviers, BE
Dramatic piece of German 20th century ceramics inspired by natur.:
Red buffalo by Otto Keramiek
Ceramic buffalo figurine by Otto Gerharz (former dire...
Category
Vintage 1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vases
Materials
Earthenware
Aldo Longhi for Bitossi Midcentury Italian Ceramic Taurus Sculpture 1960s
By Bitossi
Located in Reggio Emilia, IT
Scultura Toro in ceramica con splendida patina del tempo disegnato da Aldo Longhi e prodotto da Bitossi con decori a stampini e smalti, firmato sotto, Ital...
Category
Vintage 1960s Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
$939 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage German Taurus Pottery Sculpture from Otto Keramik, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage German Taurus Pottery Sculpture from Otto Keramik, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1970 to 1979 official proof of authenticity such as vintage catalogs, designer records, o...
Category
20th Century German Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
More Ways To Browse
Sculpture Chairs
Hand Sculpture Chair
Used Southwestern Furniture
Mid Century Modern Southwestern
Clay Chair
Ceramic Animal S
Polychrome Chair
Buffalo Artist
Heart Red Chair
Lizard Sculpture
Southwestern Decorative Objects
Lizard Bronze
Ceramic Lizard
Large Ceramic Santa
Vintage Heart Mold
Mexican Painted Chair
Animal Feet Chair
Bronze Rebecca