$399 · ORIGINAL Painting on Pottery by Michael Chiago Tohono O'odham Nation 1998 Signed

Here is a unique piece of Native American art - an original, in every sense of the word. In 1998, Michael Chiago, artist from the Tohono O'odham Nation, took a shard of curved, fired broken pottery and painted a scene showing the traditional harvest of the Saguaro cactus fruit. A story is being told in the painting: Long poles dislodge the fruit which falls to the ground, and is then placed into baskets to be carried back to the village. Saguaro fruit can be eaten raw, or cooked. It can be processed into syrup and jam. The pulp can be dried into cakes. The seeds are eaten raw, or can be ground into flour. The colors are bright and fresh in this piece. The detail is very fine. (Note the background rock refinements as well as native dress embellishments.) The piece measures approximately 8" wide X 5" high and sits nicely on a wire stand. The weight is a significant - 420g. It is not fragile. The signed and dated piece is in perfect original condition. Michael Chiago was born in 1946 at Kohatk Village on The Tohono O'odham Reservation in Southern AZ and has become a Nationally Recognized Indian Artist. He illustrated the well-known children's book "Sing Down The Rain" by Judi Moreillon. This piece was purchased at a gallery in Arizona, and has had only one owner. Please call 250 658-0587 to view. Asking $399.