Bidspirit auction | Southwest Hand-Painted Ceramic Longhorn Skull

Southwest Hand-Painted Ceramic Longhorn Skull - ABV900 Description: A striking hand-crafted ceramic sculpture modeled as a longhorn steer skull, rendered in a warm, sand-toned earthenware body. The piece is embellished with hand-painted decoration, most notably a circular vignette on the forehead depicting a stylized desert landscape—likely inspired by Monument Valley or similar Southwestern terrain—featuring mesas, sparse vegetation, and a turquoise sky. The horns extend dramatically to either side, giving the object a strong horizontal presence, while the simplified skull form reflects a blend of folk art and modern Southwestern decorative traditions. Small painted accents in black, red, and turquoise further enhance the surface, emphasizing the handcrafted nature of the piece. Openings at the sides and underside suggest it may have been designed as a decorative vessel, wall-hanging element, or possibly a sculptural incense or candle form, though it functions equally well as a standalone art object. The underside bears a hand-painted signature (“A Goodworth”), indicating studio craftsmanship rather than mass production. Details: Material: Glazed earthenware / ceramic Technique: Hand-built and hand-painted Style: Southwestern / Folk Art Motif: Longhorn skull with desert landscape imagery Signature: Hand-signed on underside Color Palette: Natural clay, turquoise, rust, black, and muted earth tones Condition: Overall very good vintage condition. Minor surface wear consistent with age and handling. No major cracks or structural damage observed. Some small imperfections inherent to hand-crafted ceramics. Measures approx. 5-6 inches tall