paintings

Make any meal an occasion with this elegant oil and vinegar set from Mexico's Javier Servin. The hand-painted ceramic set includes cruets for oil and vinegar with cork stoppers, as well as a pretty rectangular tray for an appealing presentation. The beautiful, glossy, enamel-like finish is the result of painting the pieces before they are fired in the kiln.

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).

Turned out in her Sunday finest including picture hat and parasol, this catrina from Luis Morales will add color and culture to any place she is displayed. Formed by hand from clay, her ostentatious ensemble is carefully painted in aqua, blue, purple and silver hues. 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).

This stunning alebrije sculpture is the original work of Esteban Hernandez in Mexico. Carved by hand from copal wood, the statuette is painted in meticulous detail with elabourate patterns and bold colours.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930s in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all ran at him, shouting the nonsense word, "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream in papier mache. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache. The same style of painting can also be found on other (non-animal) items.

This marvelous alebrije sculpture is from Mexican artisans Gerardo and Teresa Ojeda. Carved from copal wood, a mother opossum carries her three joeys on her back. The sculpture is painted by hand in wonderful detail, and the baby opossums are attached to the mother with aluminium wire.

The folk art tradition of alebrijes dates back to the 1930s in Mexico City. A man named Pedro Linares was taken ill, and in his fevered dreams he saw a strange land populated with curious creatures--a donkey with wings, a rooster with bull's horns, and a lion with the head of a dog. The beasts all ran at him, shouting the nonsense word, "alebrije! alebrije!". Upon his recovery, Linares began recreating the fantastical creatures he had seen in his dream in papier mache. The art form gained popularity, and alebrijes are now made of wood as well as papier mache. The same style of painting can also be found on other (non-animal) items.