heritage gifts

The complex heritage of Mexico can be seen in their Day of the Dead traditions, which are complicated blends of thought from the ancestors, the Aztec, Maya, and Spaniards, and Catholic belief. Preparing an altar by placing photographs, flowers, candles, favorite foods and drinks of the loved one is an invitation to the spirit of dead loved ones to return home to share memories, laughter and tears.

Since 1910, the Catrina name refers a well dressed woman. She is "The Bony One," "The Skinny One," and death personified. Inspired by the caricatures of lithographer Jose Guadalupe Posada, Catrina is an important personage in Mexico's November 2 Day of the Dead celebrations. She takes center stage in this colorful gift box. Catrina and her husband, El Catrin appear on a set of four decoupage coasters along with a white sugar skull. The skull theme is repeated in a hand-painted candle. A small portrait of Catrina is encased in a petite tin frame, protected by a glass pane, for wall display.

In an homage to José Guadalupe Posada's "La Calavera Catrina", Mexico's Jorge Escamilla creates this unique sculpture. Wearing overalls and a hard hat and carrying a wrench and a lunchbox, the skeletal tradesman is crafted of clay and steel wire. The original "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait to lampoon Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject.

Life imitates art, as is evident in this terrific sculpture from Mexico's Jorge Escamilla. The ceramic and wire catrin figure is clad in a work apron as he crafts his own catrina from clay. Escamilla pays tribute to José Guadalupe Posada with his delightful statuette.
The original "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait to lampoon Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject.

In an homage to José Guadalupe Posada's "La Calavera Catrina", Mexico's Jorge Escamilla creates this fun sculpture. Wearing overalls and carrying a saw and a wooden board, the skeletal carpenter is crafted of clay and steel wire. The original "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait to lampoon Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject.

This magnificent, eco-friendly sculpture is the original creation of Mexico's Armando Ramirez, who transforms recycled auto parts and scrap metal into remarkable works of art. This stunning catrina statue is elegantly clad in a long gown, fancy portrait hat, and jewelry. She holds a handbag with a floral accent. Making a statement for preserving the environment, Ramirez creates the statue with scraps of sheet metal and metal mesh, chain, and other assorted scrap.

The original "La Calavera Catrina" was a zinc etching created by the artist José Guadalupe Posada in Mexico around 1910. Posada created the character, a female skeleton with an elegant hat, as a satirical portrait of Mexican natives who aspired to European style and denied their own heritage. The catrina has since become an emblem of Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration and a popular folk art subject.