jesus ornaments

Against mahogany with a stripe of russet, geometric ginger waves decorate this table runner from Mexico. Jesus Bautista designs this runner, which is handwoven from wool on the traditional telar de pedal, or floor loom. Tassels complete this runner at the corners.

Painted in stunning shades of deep lavender and honey gold, this alebrijereflects the vibrant culture of Mexico. Jesus and Roxana Hernandez craft the iguana from copal wood and decorate it with detailed designs.

The alebrije tradition started with Mexico City papier mache artisan Pedro Linares (1906-1992). When he was 30, he fell into a coma due to serious illness. While he was unconscious, he dreamed 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. Upon recovering, Linares recreated these figures in bright colors using papier mache techniques and called them alebrijes. His work became famous and was one of the main influences of artisans in the state of Oaxaca who began crafting alebrijes of their own using traditional wood carving methods.

Modern in style, this sleek cross is crafted of natural cedar wood. Ruben Beltran completes the beautiful symbol of faith with an image of Christ.