VTG 1960s Sermel Tonala Paper Mache Gazelle -Large 12” -Sergio Bustamante Era For Sale

# Vintage 1960s Sermel Tonala Paper Mache Gazelle Sculpture - Large 12” - Sergio Bustamante Era## Description
Up for sale/sale is a highly desirable and exceptionally rare mid-century papier-mâché gazelle sculpture from the celebrated Sermel workshop in Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico. Founded in the 1960s by Sergio Bustamante and Melquiades Preciado, Sermel revolutionized Mexican folk art by blending traditional Tonalá imagery with modern design. While this piece is unsigned (as was common for many early pieces from the workshop, which often relied on temporary paper export labels or stamps that wore off over time), its masterful execution, distinct stylistic features, and dimensions clearly identify it as an authentic early Sermel production. ### Why This Is a Rare Collector's Piece:
* **The 1960s Muted Tonalá Palette:** Unlike the bright, highly saturated neon tones and glossy brass-accented designs that became the hallmark of the late 1970s and 1980s, this gazelle features the rare, muted, tonal color palette that mirrors historic *barro bruñido* (burnished clay) pottery. The organic, wood-grain styled brushstroke texture and natural earth tones place this firmly in the highly sought-after 1960s founding era of the studio.
* **Exceptional Scale:** Measuring an impressive **12" L x 11" H x 5" W**, this is a substantial display piece. Large structural animals are vastly scarcer than the smaller, mass-produced birds and cats from the workshop.
* **Scarcity of the Form:** While deer and owls appear more frequently in the Sermel catalog, the long-horned gazelle/antelope is an incredibly elusive form that rarely hits the secondary market. ### Condition Note:
The sculpture is in beautiful vintage condition. It features a natural hairline crack between the eye and the horn - strictly confined to the surface varnish/lacquer layer (natural crazing consistent with 50-60 years of age). There is **absolutely no structural give**—the underlying papier-mâché structure and gesso mold are completely solid, firm, and 100% stable.The bottom is cleanly finished and painted solid black, typical of early studio standards.Please review all high-resolution photos carefully to appreciate the phenomenal hand-painted details and historic character of this mid-century masterpiece. ---
### Item Specifics:
* **Brand/Workshop:** Sermel Tonalá (Sergio Bustamante Era)
* **Origin:** Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico
* **Material:** Papier-mâché (Hand-molded and hand-painted)
* **Era:** Circa 1960s
* **Subject:** Gazelle / Antelope / Ibex
* **Dimensions:** 12 inches long x 11 inches tall x 5 inches wide **Condition Details:**
This sculpture is in lovely vintage condition and displays beautifully. True to its age and the nature of vintage paper-mâché, there is a shallow hairline crack near area between one horn and eye. This is typical wear for these delicate 1970s pieces and does not take away from the structural integrity or visual appeal of the display. See the last few photos for a close up of this area The piece is unsigned.Please review all photos carefully as they form part of the description. It will be packaged with extreme care to ensure safe transit to its new home. The color is a natural tan-beige, the antlers are a grey but take on some green tones and the wonderful “humanoid” eyes have tints of yellow. Accents and lines in black. Bottom is all black. Perfect for collectors of vintage Mexican folk art, Bustamante, SerMel, high-end mid-century collectible eclectic decor or those who love folk art created nature and animals. Mexican Art pottery and paper mache from the late 60s to mid 70s is highly desired and collectible.