day of the dead figurines

Husband and wife duo Zeny and Reyna from Oaxaca grew up with the tradition of carving alebrijes (fantastical figurines of real and imagined animals); both of their parents were master carvers in that region's traditional folk art. Here they create a wildly colorful dragon in a contorted, acrobatic pose. The dragon is carved by hand from copal wood and painted in a rainbow of psychedelic colors.

Small parts are separated for shipping to protect from breakage.It is said that Oaxaca's alebrije tradition descends directly from Mexico City artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he became seriously ill and fell into a sort of coma. While he was unconscious, he had a most fantastic dream. He was caught between the land of the living and the dead; the place looked like a forest and was populated with creatures with body parts belonging to different animals. The beings repeatedly uttered the word alebrije, and when Linares woke up, he recreated these figures in vivid colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes . His work became famous and eventually influenced artisans in the state of Oaxaca who decided to craft alebrijes using traditional wood carving methods and according to that region's world vision.

Flowers accessorize Catrina's turquoise dress as she personifies death with grace and humor. As always, she wears a wide-brimmed hat. Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association are inspired by the celebrated cartoon developed by José Guadalupe Posadas to poke fun at Mexico's high society during the early 1900's. Revealing Catrina's skeletal figure, the Oaxacan clay sculpture is painted by hand.

Catrina's head can be removed.

Sporting a macaw on each shoulder and flowers in her hair, this elegant Catrina statuette is a magnificent addition to any space. Luis Morales in Mexico crafts the exquisite sculpture by hand from ceramic, painting it in meticulous detail. The elegant figure is based on 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).

Artisan Luis Morales of Mexico crafts a remarkable ceramic Catrina to grace your mantel or shelf. Formed by hand from clay, her ensemble refers to that of the main character in the 1944 film, Maria Candelaria. Her gown is carefully painted in purple with lilac flowers and lacy gold trim. Her hair is braided and she holds a basket filled with fruits and vegetables.

The elegant figure is based on 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 Mexico's Day of the Dead.