Featured Are these owls made by Sergio Bustamante?

I search all over and no signatures anywhere. Thanks for your help!

 

What are they made of?

 

I don't know but I love them!

 

I doubt it. I would expect them to be marked. Also, compare to this marked example. They are quite a bit different.

Sold at Auction: Sergio Bustamante, Sergio Bustamante Papier Mache Owl Sculpture (invaluable.com)

 

Yes, the more I look at the detail work on the painting, it's not the same. Thank you so much for your reply!

 

I'm not sure. They feel like painted wood but not totally sure. And the feet are brass. the larger one is about 9" tall. And the small one is about 5" tall.

 

This post is why I thought they might be Bustamante. Same exact shape with brass feet and this one was signed.

 

He seems to have made a variety of styles of owls. In 1963 he established a workshop in Tonala, Mexico, with Melquiades Preciado, making paper mache figures. The company was called Ser-Mel, and the examples of their work that I have found are signed "Ser-Mel, Tonala, Mexico". The painting style of yours is very characteristic of the traditional Tonala style of painting on pottery.

This owl looks very similar to yours, described as painted wood, but it is not signed -

https://en.todocoleccion.net/art-sculpture/buho-madera-pintado~x388759484

Here is a paper mache owl, signed Ser-Mel -

https://www.1stdibs.com/furniture/d...mel-papier-mache-owl-sculpture/id-f_19150412/

A paper mache owl signed Sergio Bustamante -


https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/sergio-bustamante-papier-mache-owl-sculpture-94-c-dc74d0da6a

And 2 mixed metal versions, signed Sergio Bustamante -

https://www.icollector.com/2-SERGIO-BUSTAMANTE-MIXED-METAL-OWLS_i13805230

Without any signature on yours, however, I think you could only say they are in Bustamante's style.

 

Didn't realize he was from Culiacán. And, you know, he's only in his early 70s. Why don't you contact his organization. (Never hurts to ask.)

tlaquepaque@sergiobustamente.com.mx

https://www.coleccionsergiobustamante.com.mx/

Debora

 

These look like a set from Pier One or similar. Cute set.

 

Did Pier One knock off Bustamante?

Debora

 

Heather, what part of the world did you find your owls in ?

Debora

 

I wouldn't dismiss the idea that the Indonesians copied Bustamante owls.

https://frombalitous.com/collections/owls

 

Thanks ou for all of these comps. It's very helpful!

 

I live in Austin Texas, but I found them In Dallas, TX They will be up for sale.

 

Wow, they do have some good ones on that site

 

So wouldn't be unlikely that they came over the border.

Debora