original decor

By Manolo and Lucho in Peru, this very original wall mirror is inspired by the new moon. Warm leather brings organic beauty to a stunning decorative accent piece.

Artisans from the Angel Cerón Artisan Association present a faithful replica of the Aztec calendar, known also as the "Sun Stone." Discovered in Mexico City, the original massive stone is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History. The Aztecs (or Mexica, as they called themselves) believed that the sun struggled daily against the forces of darkness. They aided the sun through human sacrifices.

This remarkable ceramic heart-shaped small wall art, embellished with aluminum flowers and glass beads, is handmade by Margarita Revilla in Mexico. With this wall accent she pays homage to the barro negro (or "black clay") technique that originated centuries ago in Oaxaca.

Originating in the time of the Aztecs, the art of papel picado or cut paper art is a Mexican folk art tradition. Today, papel picado garlands are used to decorate Day of the Dead ofrendas or altars, but also used for other celebrations and holidays. These three colorful tissue paper banners from Isabel Rodriguez are laser cut to attain the precise designs, which include skulls, catrinas, and dog skeletons.

Working in ceramic, Eleazar Leal crafts a beautiful cross for wall display. The trefoil on each end of the Botonee cross represents the three persons of the Christian Trinity — God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Its origins come from European heraldry. Painted by hand, this elegant cross depicts images from a small town in the Mexican sierra where a church can always be found on the town square.

This charming wall cross from the Contreras Family is made of ceramic and painted by hand in the time-honored majolica style. The cross features a dainty folk art Maria doll in colorful costume against a background of emerald green.

The charming doll originated in Mexico City when many Otomi and Mazahua people migrated to the capital in the 1970s. Due to their unique traditional clothing, the women became known as "Marias." An educational program was established for them and artist Diego Rivera's daughter, Guadalupe Rivera Marin, encouraged crafting these popular rag dolls as a way to generate income in the 1980s. Artisan women took the idea home to their Mazahua and Otomi towns and the dolls became popular throughout Mexico and abroad.