Pair of Capistrano Mexican Folk Art Sculptures Attributed to Gemma Taccogna

Capistrano Gemma Taccogna, a Mexican artist of Italian descent, left a distinctive mark in folk art with her mastery of papier-mâché for the small one, and of ceramic for the big one, which she transformed into an illusion of porcelain. Her style is immediately recognizable: faces with clean features, large, stylized eyes outlined in black, and a playful approach to form.

These two vases, attributed to Taccogna, evoke Russian dolls known as Matryoshkas, due to the way the faces are painted, associated with the archetype of the mother of a large family, a symbol of motherhood and fertility.

The larger one, a mix of ceramics and papier-mâché, and the smaller one, entirely made of papier-mâché, share this common aesthetic, reinforced by generous, solid shapes. Their gazes seem to observe without truly concentrating, as if absorbed in a distant thought. This lack of focus gives them a presence that is both peaceful and enigmatic, suspended between wakefulness and dream.

The relief necklaces, applied with a deliberately naïve touch, add a sculptural dimension to the whole. The matte, textured material contrasts with the porcelain-like visual effect. One of the vases is signed "Bunny Price" and dated 1964, while the other remains anonymous. However, their attribution is unquestionable.

Presented together, these vases belong to the movement of the Mexican craft revival of the 1960s, illustrating how papier-mâché was elevated to the rank of artistic expression. Far from merely decorative, they reflect Taccogna's ability to imbue everyday objects with a poetic and timeless dimension, rooted both in tradition and contemporary creation.

Measurements are :
Large Orange Figure : H 13.5 x W 11 x D8
Small Green Figure : H5.5 x W5 x D 4

B I O -
Gemma Fane Taccogna (1923-2007) was an Italian-born artist who specialized in papier-mâché. Her parents moved from Bari, Italy, to the United States the year Gemma was born. They did not believe in toys, so as a child, she made her own, inventing papier-mâché for herself, if not for the world, by experimenting with paper and flour from her mother’s kitchen. In 1937, 14-year-old Gemma left her home in Westchester, New York, and moved to Greenwich Village. Her work is the subject of numerous books, artistic references, and literary discussions.

REFERENCE NUMBER: LU825844174452
PERIOD: 1960-1969
CONDITION: Good
MEASUREMENTS: Height: 19" Width: 16" Depth: 12"
COUNT: Set of 2
MATERIAL: Paper, Hand-Painted
CREATOR: Gemma Taccogna
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Mexico