day of the dead figures

Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association create their interpretation of Catrina, the Grand Dame of Death that is a symbol prevalent in the Day of the Dead celebrations that honor ancestors and influential people that have passed from this world. This Catrina, in an elegant amethyst purple evening dress and a wide-brimmed hat, appears to be strolling down a promenade. A yellow bloom graces the bottom of her gown. Her skeletal figure is black with white highlights that accentuate the texture of the ceramic figurine.

Artisan Luis Morales of Mexico crafts a breathtaking ceramic Catrina to grace your mantel or shelf. Formed by hand from clay, her ensemble is carefully painted in purple, pink and fuchsia with golden accents. She carries a handbag and flaunts a magnificent hat. 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).

The underworld dresses itself with a romantic and passionate aura, the same that surrounds this ceramic sculpture by master artisan Jorge Escamilla. Inspired by love, Jorge works with classic techniques to create this wondrous piece, depicting a couple of Catrines—famous Day of the Dead icons—in a loving stare. With one figure wearing a classic suit and the other a traditional dress, the hand-painted pieces are joined on a heart-shaped base.

Doña Tomasa will grace your home like nobody else - dead or alive! Luis Morales handcrafts this supremely elegant Catrina sculpture from ceramic and clads her in a gorgeous floral apron and skirt. She wears a traditional deep blue rebozo shawl over her head and carries beautifully detailed ceramic pottery in her hands.

Luis Morales comes from a generations-long tradition of artisans. His favorite items to craft are Catrina figures because of their unique iconography.