Vintage Steven Lee Smeltzer Set of 4 Signed Fish Fantastico Stoneware Sculptures Maui 1980s-1990s

A wonderfully expressive collection of four individually hand-sculpted Fish Fantastico sculptures by Maui artist Steven Lee Smeltzer. Each whimsical fish is individually modeled with its own personality, coloration and exaggerated facial features, including dimensional eyes, prominent lips and sculpted fins. All four are signed S. Smeltzer.

Smeltzer's Fish Fantasticos are one-of-a-kind studio works formed as hollow ceramic vessels and transformed into fanciful fish sculptures.

The artist's documented process uses high-fire stoneware, porcelain-clay eyes, oxide staining and hand-applied coloration. Each fish is elevated on a textured sculptural support above an irregular organic-form base, giving the group a playful underwater appearance.

Dimensions

• Fish #1 Approximately 8 3/4" H x 7" L x 6 7/8" W
• Fish #2 Approximately 7 3/4" H x 4 3/4" L x 8 1/4" W
• Fish #3 Approximately 6" H x 4 3/4" L x 4 3/4" W
• Fish #4 Approximately 6 1/2" H x 5 1/2" L x 6 1/2" W

Each sculpture is hand-signed S. Smeltzer on the body or fin.

Steven Lee Smeltzer is a Maui-based ceramic artist known for imaginative, humorous sculptural works, particularly his distinctive Fish Fantasticos. His fish begin as hollow forms and are individually altered and sculpted, resulting in unique characters rather than identical manufactured pieces. Smeltzer's work has been represented in Hawaii galleries for decades and remains recognizable for its expressive eyes, exaggerated features, vivid coloration and playful personality.

Excellent vintage condition. Studio art sculptures with surface variation and irregularities consistent with their handmade construction and artist-applied finishes. Please note that variations in texture, form and coloration are inherent to these individually made works and are part of their character. No specific major damage has been identified from the present examination.