ARTISTIC HANDS OFFER BEAUTY IN VARIED FORMS
This sculpure will provide a superb focal point for your home or office which will be the envy of your friends and will provide perpetual pleasure for you and your family.
Mr. Borja, the Master Sculptor, was born in Ecuador. He earned a Mechanical Engineering
degree but then studied sculpture for three years in the Art Institute of Quito. He was impressed
with the rugged beauties of the northern Andes, much as the forces of nature impressed the artists
of China and Japan.
His combined skills are evident in his welded bronze pieces, where the colors and textures of his
work are solidified and stablized by this engineering skills.
His unforgiving earth shows its beauty in the large sections of amethyst or quartz geodes that
form the foundation from which his tree of life arises. The tree grasps this reality as it grows to
meet its destiny.
The brazed tree, with its spreading limbs of brass sponge and peridot flowers, leans defiantly into
the force of the winds of adversity. The limbs bend to these incessant winds to give life a balance
and permanence that will become the center of any room in which it dwells, as has ours.
Mr. Borja's trees express a universal love of life and nature. They are a concrete expression of the
human soul. Each piece is similar but different. Each tree is built gradually for eternity. The geode
sections vary, and each tree must adapt to its own earth. The growth of that tree is slow and
determined by nature. The tree reaches proportions of about 15" x 15" with a heavy, stable
puddled brass base. Other works have soared to over 8 feet in height.
His sculptures have already been accepted in Japan, and are part of the decor in the lobby of one
of Tokyo's major hotels. However this is the first time that Mr. Borja has permitted his
interpretation of nature to be presented to all of America and to the world.
Pricing: All prices in USD
| Tree | $495.00 |
| Packing and shipping | $80.00 |
| Arizona customers add | $40.54 sales tax |
Inquire about shipping costs to specific cities overseas.
When possible Mr. Borja will use the type of crystal geode that you request. The geodes however
come from Brazil and selection is not always possible, without some delay.
Shipping is commonly made within three weeks, even though each tree is "grown" individually
and like in nature growth may be slow. There may be delays of as much as 6 weeks. If you wish
to express a time limit please do so. If delivery can not be guaranteed within that time we will
refund your payment at once.
Watch this space for future work of Mr. Borja.
ANTIQUE INDIAN POTTERY REPRODUCTIONS
This pottery will make a striking center of attention in any home or office. It will be viewed with envy by everyone who has any knowledge of the original ancient Indian pottery. Unless you tell them, they will believe that you were able to locate and were willing to pay the price for such antique pieces.
The beautiful Sikyatki pots are among the most valued of the Southwest Indian wares. They were
made between 1425 and 1510. At that time the tribe suddenly disappeared - along with
knowledge of it potting methods. A century ago a Tewa potter, Nampeyo, tried to reproduce the
Sikyatki pots. Hers were similar in appearance but were deficient in several respects; most
obviously her pots were softer than the ancient ones because the firing temperature, produced by
the then commonly used sheep dung as a fire source, was 900 degrees below the temperature of
the original lignite firing. Her pots were covered with slip to match the appearance of the original
Sikyatki pots.
Thirty five years ago Michael Hawley became enthralled with old Hopi pottery. Returning as a
disabled Viet Nam veteran, he spent another 10 years exploring the area where the Sikyatki had
lived. He studied the shards from the pueblo garbage dumps or middens. He found and studied the
500 year old firing sites. He patiently sought and located the sources of the ancient materials - no
longer recognized or used by modern Indians.
Most Indian pottery today is fired in gas or electric kilns. For several hundred years before that,
Navajo sheep dung was used. The modern firings never show the beautiful flame marks of the
antiques. The sheep dung firing, does not produce the heat needed for a hard ringing pot. When
Micheal studied the few firing sites identifiable after 500 years, he realized that the ashes were of
lignite - a very low grade precursor of coal. Then in the mesa walls Mike located the lignite used
by the Sikyatki and forgotten by the Indians. He located all of the minerals they had used for their
paint, during the centuries before commercial paints were available.
By the mid-70's Micheal had succeeded in deducing the ancient firing methods and the necessary
climatic and physical conditions needed. He discovered the hard way that a sudden breeze or
summer rain squall would destroy all of the pots being fired, the work of several weeks.
At last he produced "Sikyatki" pots that were virtually identical with the originals. This produced
good news and bad news. The bad news was that the federal agents believed that Micheal was
acquiring his pots by illegal digging. They followed him constantly and apparently even believed
that his own potting was a cover for his thefts. [For some time he carved his initials inside the pot
shoulders to be seen with a dental mirror]. The good news was that a fine Hopi potter, Arlee
Chaca, saw Micheal's work and formally adopted him and named him Chakaptowa in 1979.
As with the ancient ones, Micheal forms his pots by hand. When they have dried he paints them
spontaneously with authentic symbols that are in his mind. He uses no pattern and does not copy
old pots. Each pot is fired individually, hidden within a dome of lignite pieces that do not rest on
or touch the pot. If sudden wind or rain does not ruin the firing, a beautiful pot emerges from the
ashes. [A fine discussion of "Indian symbols can be found in the "arts" section of www.yahoo.com]
Sikyatki and Kayenta
Sikyatki
Micheal has continued his studies of other sites and other tribal work. Gradually he has
successfully duplicated Kayenta and Tularosa black and white, St. Johns and Four Mile black on
red, and Show Low polychrome. Each requires some variation of firing materials and techniques.
Other than Kayenta, Micheal is not yet prepared to offer other pottery.
Kayenta
Each pot requires several days of preparation. Firing must be planned when the weather is right.
Preparation of the lignite is tedious and the actual firing requires constant tending. Once the firing
is started Micheal must remain at his "kiln" until the firing is completed. Even under ideal
conditions, with continuous work, Micheal produces less than 300 pots a year.
Obviously no two pots are alike. Often, but not universally, pots will show the beautiful flame
marks where a fragment of lignite has dropped on the shoulder of the pot. In order to paint
constantly authentic designs, Micheal will produce only pots of one style at a time. Therefore
there may be a period of several months when a particular type of pot is not available.
Pottery pricing: All prices in USD
| SIKYATKI, polychrome | KAYENTA, black and white |
| Pots [Oyas] @ 18" x 8" $1,000 | Pots @ 15" x 12" $500 |
| Arizona Sales tax: $70.50 | AZ sales tax $35.25 |
| Bowls @ 8" x 4" $450 | Bowls @ 8" x 4" $250 |
| Arizona Sales Tax: $31.50 | AZ sales tax: $17.63 |
Add $80.00 for packing, insurance and shipping.
For overseas shipping inquire for shipping costs to a specific location.
Please indicate whether a possible two month delay is acceptable or whether an immediate refund
is desired if such a delay is expected. [Deliver within _____________ weeks]
A professional video of Micheal's preparation and firing of the yellow ware will be included with
each Sikyatki pot or bowl.
A professional video of the Kayenta pot firing is planned for 1997 and copy will be sent to each
buyer of Kayenta ware as soon as available. Also watch this space for the results of Michael's
work with those other antique Indian pottery style.
Send checks: payable to:
W. Welles Associates
3108 W. Dahlia Dr.
Phoenix, AZ
USA 85029
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