Red and Gold Charra Catrina Sculpture, "La Catrina Charra"

Dressed for the charreada, or Mexican rodeo, this elegant catrina is dazzling. Mexican artisan Luis Morales crafts the statuette by hand from clay and paints her magnificent red and gold costume in stunning detail. Women have traditionally had a role in the event by demonstrating their horsemanship with choreographed, synchronized maneuvers. The elegant figure is inspired by a satirical etching created by Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada around 1910-1913. With his etching, Posada poked fun at those Mexican natives who tried to emulate the fashion and habits of the European aristocracy. Today, la Catrina has become the instantly recognizable icon of Día de los Muertos (Mexico's Day of the Dead).