Up for auction is this beautiful Native American Jicarilla Apache Indian micaceous clay pottery pot vessel vase by master potter and artist, Felipe Ortega.

Signed on the base and a wonderful earlier example of his and done in a darker, beautiful clay.

Felipe Ortega was an Apache medicine man and talented micaceous clay potter. He was of Jicarilla Apache descent; Felipe honored the ancient tradition of micaceous pottery making. His ancestors began working the mica rich clay indigenous to this region of New Mexico, USA, over 400 years ago.

Felipe Ortega (1952-2018) claimed that he was the "fastest coiler in the West", referring to the coil and scrape method he used to build his beautiful micaceous clay pottery. Felipe created micaceous clay pots that are sought by collectors and shown in museums, including the Smithsonian Institution.

This pot is quite large in size measuring 9.4” inches wide, 8.4” inches tall and 7.6” inches in diameter at the mouth.

Does have some various nicks and chips at the mouth rim and light surface wear but otherwise in good condition.

Displays very well and a rare addition to any exhibition, museum or personal collection.