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Mexican Folk Art and Gifts Click on the images to see more Mexican folk art pieces in each category
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Most Mexican folk art traditions have been passed down for
generations. However, Oaxacan wood carvings are a newer
form of Mexican folk art, having been pioneered by the
renowned carver, Manuel Jimenez, in the 1980’s. There are
now many woodcarvers living and working in the small villages
of San Martin Tilcajete, Arrazola, and La Union in Oaxaca.
These talented carvers create, entirely by hand, wonderful
sculptures made from copal wood. Their ingenious shapes and
amazing patterns and colors captivate collectors world wide.
Click here to learn more
The Huichol Indians (pronounced wee-chol) are a small tribe of
approximately 10,000 Indians living in the rugged mountains of
the Sierra Madre in central Mexico. Because of their isolation
in these remote villages in the state of Nayarit, they were able
to largely resist conversion to Christianity by the Spanish
conquistadors. They have maintained their pre-conquest
religion and traditions and continue to practice a nature-based
religion guided by shamans. Their yarn paintings and delicate
bead work express their deepest personal and religious beliefs
through a lifetime of ceremony and tradition. Many of their
works depict spiritual symbols such as eagles, deer, snakes, corn
and peyote blossoms. Click here to learn more
Tinsmiths from the state of Oaxaca (pronounced wa-ha-ka) in
Mexico, have been creating household items and religious
artifacts for generations. Perhaps the most popular items are tin
mirrors and tin Christmas ornaments, made in a variety of
shapes ranging from animals and cactus to the more traditional
angel or wise man. These pieces are made by dipping thin
sheets of iron into molten tin. This coats the sheets with a shiny
surface that is resistant to corrosion. Tin can be easily bent,
crimped, cut and soldered to form intricate shapes. It has a
brilliant appearance similar to silver, which is a large part of its
appeal. Its other advantages are its lightness, strength and low
cost. Some items are left as natural tin and then hand painted,
while others may have a rustic bronze finish added.
These folk art creations come from various parts of Mexico.
Some are a part of the "Day of the Dead" or Dia de los Muertos
festivities celebrated between October 31st and November
2nd. Others are a part of the ceramic tradition of Izucar de
Matamoros. All are handmade by artisans specializing in
ceramics, woodworking, or metalcraft.
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