A key member of the "Montana Modernists" - Frances Senska (1914 - 2009) is now considered a key American 20th century ceramicist. As founder and leader of the ceramics program at Montana State University in Bozeman (1946 - 1972) she fostered the talents of many artists including Peter Voulkas and Rudy Autio. In addition Frances was a founder of the Archie Bray Foundation of Ceramic Arts. Her work is now highly coveted and collected. And is included in the collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Library of Congress, and Princeton University.
 
This charming pair of birds were purchased by the owner in Bozeman, Montana in 1970.  One of Ms. Senska's favorite subjects they were Inspired by Hungarian Partridges that roamed the countryside of her childhood home in Cameroon, Africa. Both were hand crafted in stoneware clay that Frances dug and blended herself. And then were glazed and fired with her proprietary techniques. Neither are signed with is often the case given originally they probably had paper "address" stickers attached - now long gone.
 
The "gray" bird measures approximately 4" high x 3" wide x 4.5" deep.
The "brown" bird measures approximately 4" high x 2.75" wide x 4" deep.
 
.The "brown" bird is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, scratches, or glaze loss. The "gray" bird is also in very good condition with one "toe" missing in what appears to be a very old break. See photos for details.