Rebecca Tobey (New Mexico / Texas, b. 1948) and Gene Tobey (New Mexico / Texas, 1945-2008), Native American inspired bear sculpture, glazed and fired ceramic, freestanding, incised signature behind rear paw

height 13.5 in. x width 22 in. x depth 7.5 in. 

Provenance: Property from a San Antonio, Texas antiques collector

Gene Tobey was a Southwestern sculptor known for stylized ceramic and bronze animal sculptures. Born in Utah, he began his career as a sculptor and potter and taught sculpture, pottery, and three-dimensional design at Casper Community College in Wyoming and Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon. In 1985, he married artist Rebecca Tobey, and together they developed a distinctive, recognizable style featuring abstracted animals such as bears, buffalo, and elk. Their sculptures are known for dynamic poses and surfaces carved with detailed sgraffito drawings of animals, human figures, night skies, mountains, and geometric symbols, often finished with rich, colorful patinas. They exhibited widely in galleries across the United States and created works ranging from small pieces to monumental bronzes. Gene Tobey was considered one of the leading Southwestern sculptors of his time, and his collaborative work with Rebecca remains highly regarded.