Description

A 1974-1975 Troika Pottery double sided Aztec Cycladic face mask moulded in high relief by Muriel  Murrell, height 25cm

Here  is a  fantastic , genuine, authentic  extremely  rare and outstanding   Troika Aztec/Viking war mask   highly desirable ‘Type 3’ from the Newlyn  Troika period June 1974 – June 1975.

This  was the year that  Muriel Murell  was undertaking  her pottery  work in Newlyn, Cornwall.

She was one of the most creative of the artists who worked for Troika. She only worked for Troika for just one  year, so as you can imagine it makes this a very rare, sought-after, highly  collectable piece of Troika pottery. The base carries the genuine hand-written Troika mark and the backward double ‘MM’ monogram of Muriel Murrell. It  also has the ‘bullet hole’ decoration- the rarest of all of  the war mask variations.

It is  a truly  stunning piece with a  ‘Viking warrior’ war face design  on the main side and a Aztec ‘Peruvian’ abstract face design on the other. This mask was superbly decorated  in  four colours, blue, brown, buff and cream, clearly showing Muriel Murrell’s  talent  and  artistic skills , ranging between ancient history and modern art, with certain influences by Swiss/German artist/painter Paul Klee, whose individual style, influenced movements in art that included expressionism, cubism and surrealism. It has never been damaged or restored, and hence  is  in absolutely original honest outstanding condition. Images showing the piece outside in sun and shade, plus inside studio shots to show the wonderful colouring in all backgrounds. In perfect original order, good markings. NO restoration or flaws whatsovcer.